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Another effect of the continual appearance of false and biased statement and the absorption of the lie atmosphere is that deeds of real valour, heroism, and physical endurance and genuine cases of inevitable torture and suffering are contaminated and desecrated; the wonderful comradeship of the battlefield becomes almost polluted. Lying tongues cannot speak of deeds of sacrifice to show their beauty or value. So it is that the praise bestowed on heroism by Government and Press always jars, more especially when, as is generally the case with the latter, it is accompanied by cheap and vulgar sentimentality. That is why one instinctively wishes the real heroes to remain unrecognized, so that their record may not be smirched by cynical tongues and pens so well versed in falsehood.

Arthur Ponsonby#14

WarPropagandaMediaTruthWar propagandaHeroism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The spread of falsehood in wartime corrupts the perception of genuine heroism and suffering, making praise feel insincere.
In plain terms
Lies in war tarnish true acts of bravery.
What can you take from it?
Beware how propaganda can devalue real sacrifice.

Where it applies

  • reading wartime news
  • commemorating veterans
  • political speeches

Putting it to work

  • critically evaluate heroic narratives
  • seek primary sources
  • question official accounts

Questions to consider

  • How does propaganda shape our view of heroism?
  • Can true valor ever be fully recognized in a biased media landscape?

Another view

Even without propaganda, some heroic acts may still be contested or misunderstood.

More from Arthur Ponsonby

  1. In calm retrospect we can appreciate better the disastrous effects of the poison of falsehood, whether officially, semi-officially, or privately manufactured. …

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  2. When war reaches such dimensions as to involve the whole nation, and when the people at its conclusion find they have gained nothing but only observe widesprea…

    Permalink to quote #15
  3. War being established as a recognized institution to be resorted to when Governments quarrel, the people are more or less prepared. They quite willingly delude…

    Permalink to quote #12

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