If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Discovering new truths offers little value if we cannot endure existing ones without comforting falsehoods.
- In plain terms
- Truths need lies to be bearable sometimes.
- What can you take from it?
- New truths aren't always useful if old ones are too hard to accept.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we need lies to survive truth?
- Is comfort worth less than truth?
Another view
Truths are still valuable even if hard to endure.
More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Body and soul: a horse harnessed beside an ox.
Permalink to quote #34 Nothing can contribute more to peace of soul than the lack of any opinion whatever.
Permalink to quote #36 We are obliged to regard many of our original minds as crazy - at least until we have become as clever as they are.
Permalink to quote #33
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