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About this quote

What does it mean?
Popularity does not validate a falsehood.
In plain terms
Being popular doesn't make a bad idea true.
What can you take from it?
Trends don't turn falsehoods into truths.

Where it applies

  • fact-checking
  • debate
  • media literacy

Putting it to work

  • fact-check common claims
  • resist groupthink
  • discuss logic

Questions to consider

  • When does popularity indicate truth?
  • Why do we follow bad trends?

Another view

Sometimes popularity indicates practical utility even if not strictly true.

More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton

  1. These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own.

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  2. There is something to be said for every error; but, whatever may be said for it, the most important thing to be said about it is that it is erroneous.

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  3. The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Co…

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