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About this quote

What does it mean?
True relevance often lacks obvious truth, while obvious truths may lack relevance.
In plain terms
Important things are not always obvious.
What can you take from it?
Seek depth beyond surface truths.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • analysis
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • dig deeper
  • question assumptions
  • analyze context

Questions to consider

  • What seems true but isn't relevant?
  • What is relevant but hard to prove?

Another view

This oversimplifies the relationship between truth and relevance.

More from Winston Churchill

  1. An empty taxi arrived and out of it stepped Attlee.

    Permalink to quote #213
  2. You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.

    Permalink to quote #215
  3. If you're not a liberal when you're 25, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative by the time you're 35, you have no brain.

    Permalink to quote #212

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