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About this quote

What does it mean?
Spreading truth to a crowd often inevitably hurts or offends someone.
In plain terms
It's hard to tell the truth without offending someone.
What can you take from it?
Sharing truth often requires accepting that someone may get hurt.

Where it applies

  • speaking truth to power
  • public debate
  • challenging norms

Putting it to work

  • accept collateral damage
  • prepare for backlash
  • stand by facts

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle offending people with truth?
  • Is it worth hurting someone to tell the truth?

Another view

Sometimes withholding truth prevents unnecessary harm.

More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

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