Truth is a mobile army of metaphors, metonyms…
![“Truth is a mobile army of metaphors, metonyms, anthropomorphisms, in short a sum of human relations which have been subjected to poetic and rhetorical intensification, translation and decoration […]; truths are illusions of which we have forgotten that they are illusions, metaphors which have…” quote by Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/079/friedrich-nietzsche-15_anthropomorphism_truth-is-a-mobile-army-of-metaphors-meto_2293268.jpg)
“Truth is a mobile army of metaphors, metonyms, anthropomorphisms, in short a sum of human relations which have been subjected to poetic and rhetorical intensification, translation and decoration […]; truths are illusions of which we have forgotten that they are illusions, metaphors which have become worn by frequent use and have lost all sensuous vigour […]. Yet we still do not know where the drive to truth comes from, for so far we have only heard about the obligation to be truthful which society imposes in order to exist" from, "On Truth and Lying in a Non-Moral Sense".”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Language shapes reality; our “truths” are metaphorical constructs that lose vigor through overuse.
In simple terms: Truths are metaphorical and become empty with overuse.
Key Takeaway
Question the metaphors we accept as truth.
Themes
language
truth
metaphor
philosophy
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media reporting
- scientific theories
- personal beliefs
Key Concepts
semantic theory
cognitive linguistics
Questions to Reflect On
- What “truths” have you taken for granted?
- How do metaphors shape your worldview?
A Different Perspective
Metaphors can obscure factual clarity.