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About this quote

What does it mean?
Bennett critiques journalists who repeat falsehoods hoping repetition will make them accepted as truth. He highlights the manipulative power of persistent lies.
In plain terms
Repeating a lie often enough can make people believe it is true.
What can you take from it?
Repetition can manufacture perceived truth regardless of facts.

Where it applies

  • news consumption
  • political discourse
  • fact-checking

Putting it to work

  • verify sources
  • recognize repetition tactics
  • demand evidence

Questions to consider

  • How do you verify news?
  • When have you heard a lie repeated often?

Another view

Not all repetition is intentional deception; sometimes it is genuine error.

More from Arnold Bennett

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  2. A cause may be inconvenient, but it's magnificent. It's like champagne or high heels, and one must be prepared to suffer for it.

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  3. The price of justice is eternal publicity.

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