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About this quote

What does it mean?
You can deceive individuals constantly or groups occasionally, but never everyone constantly.
In plain terms
People can be fooled sometimes but not always and not all together.
What can you take from it?
Deception has limits over time and scope.

Where it applies

  • politics
  • media
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • media literacy
  • fact checking
  • public speaking

Questions to consider

  • Do people eventually see through lies?
  • How long does deception last?

Another view

It assumes everyone eventually realizes the truth.

More from P.T. Barnum

  1. How are the ticket sales in Madison Square Garden?

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  2. We have something for everybody.

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  3. I don't care what they say about me, just make sure they spell my name right!

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