The general rule is that if you are looking for venture capital, rather than the other way around, you're either not going to get very far or get a good deal. In other words, it's better to be wanted than to want. And that is the fundamental truth of every market, including the ones of venture capital and personal relationships.
In those scenarios where a startup is being pursued rather than pursuing, I doubt VCs will spend as much time lying as they will trying to make themselves the darling to partner with. If you keep in mind that VCs are situational liars, then you can separate the mercenary deal-chasers from the real value-added partners. That is, the ones that treasure openness and honesty are to be favored over those that lie out of convenience or cowardliness (and freely admit to doing so).
In those scenarios where a startup is being pursued rather than pursuing, I doubt VCs will spend as much time lying as they will trying to make themselves the darling to partner with. If you keep in mind that VCs are situational liars, then you can separate the mercenary deal-chasers from the real value-added partners. That is, the ones that treasure openness and honesty are to be favored over those that lie out of convenience or cowardliness (and freely admit to doing so).