As a rule the tales which get abroad in the world are…
““As a rule the tales which get abroad in the world are false. . . . People always exaggerate things. More so, when months and years have passed and the place is distant do they relate any story they please, or even it put down in writing, so that at least it becomes established fact. . . . Anyhow, it is a world that is full of lies, and we shall make no mistake if we make up our minds that what we hear is really not at all strange and unusual but merely exaggerated in the telling.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Stories spread and become exaggerated over time, turning into accepted falsehoods.
In simple terms: Tales get distorted and accepted as truth.
Key Takeaway
Question sources before believing.
Themes
truth
storytelling
history
perception
critical thinking
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- historical research
- media literacy
- family storytelling
- academic study
Key Concepts
narrative distortion
memory bias
social transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify a story’s origin?
- What mechanisms cause exaggeration?
A Different Perspective
Some narratives retain core truths despite embellishment.