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About this quote

What does it mean?
The silent, massive national lie supports all tyrannies and injustices, becoming the target of criticism.
In plain terms
A big hidden lie backs oppression and draws attacks.
What can you take from it?
Unseen falsehoods enable systemic abuse.

Where it applies

  • government propaganda
  • social movements

Putting it to work

  • exposing hidden narratives
  • journalistic investigation

Questions to consider

  • What constitutes the 'national lie' today?
  • How can societies uncover hidden deceptions?

Another view

It simplifies complex causes to a single lie.

More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens

  1. [A] classic - something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.

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  2. [The human race], in its poverty, has unquestionably one really effective weapon - laughter.

    Permalink to quote #35
  3. He had only one vanity; he thought he could give advice better than any other person.

    Permalink to quote #32

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