[Noam Chomsky] seems to feel licensed to forget or distort the truth whenever it suits his polemical convenience. He begins as a preacher to the world and ends as an intellectual crook. --Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., December 1969 [208]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Arthur Schlesinger claims Chomsky distorts truth for polemical purposes.
- In plain terms
- He is accused of twisting facts to win arguments.
- What can you take from it?
- Accuracy matters in public argument.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is distortion a common tool in polemic?
- How to assess veracity in critics?
Another view
This is a hostile critique that may reflect bias.
More from Noam Chomsky
The Americans' very conviction that their goals are good blinds them to the consequences of their acts. To focus on intentions is to prolong a futile clash of …
Permalink to quote #226 The three paragraphs of Mr. Chomsky to which I have referred constitute less than five percent of his article. I do not know if the level of veracity which he …
Permalink to quote #228 The best thing about Chomsky is that he raises the blood pressure anti-Lefties far more than he deserves. Still, Chomsky's about as challenging as Mr. Rogers. …
Permalink to quote #225
Related quotes
I may not be smart enough to debate you point-for-point on this, but I have the feeling about 60% of what you say is crap.
David LettermanDavid Letterman quote #4 The three paragraphs of Mr. Chomsky to which I have referred constitute less than five percent of his article. I do not know if the level of veracity which he …
Noam ChomskyNoam Chomsky quote #228 It is tempting to follow a policy of malign neglect toward Chomsky's latest screed. But ignoring the book may foster the false impression that Chomsky's revela…
Noam ChomskyNoam Chomsky quote #237