Age Quote by Barbara Tuchman
“His (Deschamps') complaint of court life was the same as is made of government at the top in any age: it was composed of hypocrisy, flattery, lying, paying and betraying; it was where calumny and cupidity reigned, common sense lacked, truth dared not appear, and where to survive one had to be deaf, blind, and dumb.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman, 2003
Court life mirrors government: rife with hypocrisy, flattery, lies, and betrayal, demanding deafness, blindness, and silence to survive.
In simple terms: Power structures are corrupt and demand willful ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge systemic deceit.
Themes
politics
corruption
power
survival
Mood
cynical
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- government
- court
- corporate
- media
- any hierarchy
Key Concepts
hypocrisy
flattery
lying
betrayal
silence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does you protect yourself from such environments?
- What can be done to expose hidden hypocrisy?
A Different Perspective
Blindly accepting corruption can perpetuate it.
![“The clergy [in the 14th century] on the whole were probably no more lecherous or greedy or untrustworthy than other men, but because they were supposed to be better or nearer to God than other men, their failings attracted more attention.” quote by Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/558/barbara-tuchman-3945_attention_the-clergy-in-the-14th-century-on-the-wh_159681.jpg)
