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About this quote

What does it mean?
Slight distortions of truth are more dangerous than outright lies because they appear credible.
In plain terms
Truths tweaked slightly are more misleading than lies.
What can you take from it?
Be wary of half-truths disguised as facts.

Where it applies

  • media
  • political discourse
  • everyday talk

Putting it to work

  • verify claims
  • question nuance
  • seek full context

Questions to consider

  • Why are half-truths so dangerous?
  • How do you spot distorted truth?

Another view

Lies are also harmful regardless of distortion.

More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

  1. We accumulate our opinions at an age when our understanding is at its weakest.

    Permalink to quote #80
  2. He who is enamored of himself will at least have the advantage of being inconvenienced by few rivals.

    Permalink to quote #82
  3. The noble simplicity in the works of nature only too often originates in the noble shortsightedness of him who observes it.

    Permalink to quote #79

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