Books Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““It is strange, a judicious reader is apt to say, upon the perusal of these wonderful historians, that such prodigious events never happen in our days. But it is nothing strange, I hope, that men should lie in all ages. You must surely have seen instances enough of that frailty. You have yourself heard many such marvellous relations started, which, being treated with scorn by all the wise and judicious, have at last been abandoned even by the vulgar. Be assured, that those renowned lies, which have spread and flourished to such a monstrous height, arose from like beginnings; but being sown in a more proper soil, shot up at last into prodigies almost equal to those which they relate.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: God Is Not Great, 2007
Human history repeats patterns of deception; grand lies arise from small falsehoods that grow when nurtured by belief.
In simple terms: Big lies start small and grow.
Key Takeaway
Question sources critically.
Themes
history
deception
truth
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media consumption
- education
- public policy
Key Concepts
propaganda
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What small falsehoods do you accept?
- How can societies prevent the spread of harmful myths?
A Different Perspective
Not all falsehoods are intentional.
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