In the beginning when the world was young there were a…
![“In the beginning when the world was young there were a great many thoughts but no such thing as a truth. Man made the truths himself and each truth was a composite of a great many vague thoughts. All about in the world were the truths and they were all beautiful. [...] There was the truth of…” quote by Sherwood Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/e8a/sherwood-anderson-2780_great-man_in-the-beginning-when-the-world-was-youn_1205225.jpg)
““In the beginning when the world was young there were a great many thoughts but no such thing as a truth. Man made the truths himself and each truth was a composite of a great many vague thoughts. All about in the world were the truths and they were all beautiful. [...] There was the truth of virginity and the truth of passion, the truth of wealth and of poverty, of thrift and of profligacy, of carelessness and abandon. Hundreds and hundreds were the truths and they were all beautiful. And then the people came along. Each as he appeared snatched up one of the truths and some who were quite strong snatched up a dozen of them. It was the truths that made the people grotesques. The old man had quite an elaborate theory concerning the matter. It was his notion that the moment one of the people took one of the truths to himself, called it his truth, and tried to live his life by it, he became a grotesque and the truth he embraced became a falsehood.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People create personal “truths” from vague ideas, but clinging to them can deform humanity.
In simple terms: Truths become falsehoods when owned.
Key Takeaway
Question your own “truths”.
Themes
truth
identity
illusion
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal belief formation
- cultural narratives
- ethical decision‑making
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Which “truth” have you adopted?
- How can flexibility prevent becoming a grotesque?
A Different Perspective
Rigid truths limit growth.