What phrase is Gregory House's recurring motto in House M.D.?

Gregory House's recurring motto in House M.D. is “Everybody lies.”

House uses the phrase to express his belief that patients, families, and sometimes doctors conceal information, whether intentionally or because they misunderstand their own behavior. In the show's diagnostic logic, a hidden fact can be the clue that explains an otherwise impossible symptom pattern.

The motto also reflects House's broader worldview. He is skeptical of conventional morality and distrustful of easy explanations, so he frequently tests statements rather than accepting them at face value. His approach produces breakthroughs, but it also damages relationships and creates ethical conflicts with colleagues.

“Everybody lies” is a recurring line and theme, not the title of the entire series. It is also the title of the show's first episode, which aired in 2004. The phrase later influenced the title of the series finale, “Everybody Dies,” creating a deliberate thematic link between the beginning and end of the program.