--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a wise policy in that false…" description: "\"“It was a wise policy in that false prophet, Alexander, who though now forgotten, was once so famous, to lay the first scene of his impostures in Paphl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg" --- # It was a wise policy in that false prophet, Alexander, who… ![“It was a wise policy in that false prophet, Alexander, who though now forgotten, was once so famous, to lay the first scene of his impostures in Paphlagonia, where, as Lucian tells us, the people were extremely ignorant and stupid, and ready to swallow even the grossest delusion. People at a…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg) > ““It was a wise policy in that false prophet, Alexander, who though now forgotten, was once so famous, to lay the first scene of his impostures in Paphlagonia, where, as Lucian tells us, the people were extremely ignorant and stupid, and ready to swallow even the grossest delusion. People at a distance, who are weak enough to think the matter at all worth enquiry, have no opportunity of receiving better information. The stories come magnified to them by a hundred circumstances. Fools are industrious in propagating the imposture; while the wise and learned are contented, in general, to deride its absurdity, without informing themselves of the particular facts, by which it may be distinctly refuted. And thus the impostor above mentioned was enabled to proceed, from his ignorant Paphlagonians, to the enlisting of votaries, even among the Grecian philosophers, and men of the most eminent rank and distinction in Rome; nay, could engage the attention of that sage emperor Marcus Aurelius; so far as to make him trust the success of a military expedition to his delusive prophecies. 23 The advantages are so great, of starting an imposture among an ignorant people, that, even though the delusion should be too gross to impose on the generality of them (which, though seldom, is sometimes the case) it has a much better chance for succeeding in remote countries, than if the first scene had been laid in a city renowned for arts and knowledge. The most ignorant and barbarous of these barbarians carry the report abroad. None of their countrymen have a large correspondence, or sufficient credit and authority to contradict and beat down the delusion. Men’s inclination to the marvellous has full opportunity to display itself. And thus a story, which is universally exploded in the place where it was first started, shall pass for certain at a thousand miles distance. But had Alexander fixed his residence at Athens, the philosophers of that renowned mart of learning had immediately spread, throughout the whole Roman empire, their sense of the matter; which, being supported by so great authority, and displayed by all the force of reason and eloquence, had entirely opened the eyes of mankind. It is true; Lucian, passing by chance through Paphlagonia, had an opportunity of performing this good office. But, though much to be wished, it does not always happen, that every Alexander meets with a Lucian, ready to expose and detect his impostures.”” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. False prophets thrive among ignorant audiences; misinformation spreads faster where critical scrutiny is absent. **In simple terms:** Misinformation spreads in uninformed groups. Key Takeaway Promote critical thinking. Themes ignorance misinformation propaganda Mood cautious reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - political campaigns - media consumption - education - public discourse Key Concepts epistemology social psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can societies guard against false narratives? - What role does education play? A Different Perspective Educated audiences can also be misled by charisma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexander/) [Alexander Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexander-forgotten-2762302/) [Ignorant Paphlagonians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant-paphlagonians-2762303/) [Ignorant people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant-people/) [Impostures Paphlagonia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impostures-paphlagonia-2762300/) [Prophet Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophet-alexander-2762301/) [Thousand miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-miles/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“Our most holy religion is founded on faith, not on reason; and it is a sure method of exposing it to put it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/our-most-holy-religion-is-founded-on-faith-not-on-reason-and-it-is-a/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I hate school & all the ignorant people in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-school-all-the-ignorant-people-in-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Under the freest constitution ignorant people are still slaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/under-the-freest-constitution-ignorant-people-are-still-slaves/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [“Anyway. I’m not allowed to watch TV, although I am allowed to rent documentaries that are approved for me, and I can read anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/anyway-i-m-not-allowed-to-watch-tv-although-i-am-allowed-to-rent/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [I hate ignorant people who don't know the difference between Jews and zionists and Muslims and terrorists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-ignorant-people-who-don-t-know-the-difference-between-jews-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Slavery is the daughter of darkness: an ignorant people is a blind instrument of its own destruction”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-bolivar/slavery-is-the-daughter-of-darkness-an-ignorant-people-is-a-blind/) [Simón Bolívar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-bolivar/) > [“Knowledge is Power, Power provides Information; Information leads to Education, Education breeds Wisdom; Wisdom is Liberation. 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Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## More by Christopher Hitchens > [“The spirit of our accurate and exact philosophy is outraged by conclusions that contradict each other so glaringly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-spirit-of-our-accurate-and-exact-philosophy-is-outraged-by/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Many governments employ torture but this was the first time that the element of Saturnalia and pornography in the process had been made so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/many-governments-employ-torture-but-this-was-the-first-time-that-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. 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Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-much-worse-to-see-a-woman-drunk-than-a-man-i-don-t-know-quite/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It's true that obscenity is a matter of taste and in the eye of the beholder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-true-that-obscenity-is-a-matter-of-taste-and-in-the-eye-of-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I worked out early on to give up things I couldn't do well at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-worked-out-early-on-to-give-up-things-i-couldn-t-do-well-at-all/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Writing is what's important to me, and anything that helps me do that - or enhances and prolongs and deepens and sometimes intensifies argument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/writing-is-what-s-important-to-me-and-anything-that-helps-me-do-that/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) [Explore all 1,241 Christopher Hitchens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## More Alexander quotes > [I actually sat down and started three Alexanders at the same time. Two of them went in the trash and got stomped on because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/i-actually-sat-down-and-started-three-alexanders-at-the-same-time-two/) [Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/) > [Homer, Hesiod, Pythagoras, Plato, and Cicero, just to name a few, all lived in pagan societies. Some of the greatest political and military leaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-myers/homer-hesiod-pythagoras-plato-and-cicero-just-to-name-a-few-all-lived/) [Brendan Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-myers/) > [Life is life, Girls are girls and boys are boys, they change here and there.. BUT ALEXANDER remains the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asking-alexander/life-is-life-girls-are-girls-and-boys-are-boys-they-change-here-and/) [Asking Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asking-alexander/) > [“I am acting, then," continued Alexander, "only on the defensive. The gods, who always favor the right, have given me the victory. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-abbott/i-am-acting-then-continued-alexander-only-on-the-defensive-the-gods/) [Jacob Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-abbott/) > [Lucius Cassius ille quem populus Romanus verissimum et sapientissimum iudicem putabat identidem in causis quaerere solebat 'cui bono' fuisset. The famous Lucius Cassius, whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/lucius-cassius-ille-quem-populus-romanus-verissimum-et-sapientissimum/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“That valiant Macedonian supreme commander and emperor Alexander, in his thirties and the future Indian captain-general and emperor Chandragupta just on the threshold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savarkar/that-valiant-macedonian-supreme-commander-and-emperor-alexander-in/) [Savarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savarkar/) > [“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alexander-the-coppersmith-did-me-great-harm-the-lord-will-repay-him/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When Alexander saw the depth of his empire he wept for there were no more worlds to concquer. 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Dior, Chanel, the usual suspects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-m-a-london-girl-so-i-grew-up-on-alexander-mcqueen-and-vivienne/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [When I did 'Racing Demon' by David Hare, I worked with Paul Giamatti, who had stacks of books in his dressing room. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-o-hare/when-i-did-racing-demon-by-david-hare-i-worked-with-paul-giamatti-who/) [Denis O'Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-o-hare/) > [Alexander III of Macedon is known as Alexander the Great because he killed more people of more different kinds than any other man of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/alexander-iii-of-macedon-is-known-as-alexander-the-great-because-he/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“Alexander's mere name and the fame of his feats raised rulers and realms across virtually the whole world. And those who kept control of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-chugg/alexander-s-mere-name-and-the-fame-of-his-feats-raised-rulers-and/) [Andrew Chugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-chugg/) > [Where did he go!” he bellowed, gloved hands clenching. “I had him in a snare that would take Alexander the Great a lifetime to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/where-did-he-go-he-bellowed-gloved-hands-clenching-i-had-him-in-a/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) [Browse all 230 Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexander/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It was a wise policy in that false prophet, Alexander, who though now forgotten, was once so famous, to lay the first scene of his impostures in Paphlagonia, where, as Lucian tells us, the people were extremely ignorant and stupid, and ready to swallow even the grossest delusion. People at a distance, who are weak enough to think the matter at all worth enquiry, have no opportunity of receiving better information. The stories come magnified to them by a hundred circumstances. Fools are industrious in propagating the imposture; while the wise and learned are contented, in general, to deride its absurdity, without informing themselves of the particular facts, by which it may be distinctly refuted. And thus the impostor above mentioned was enabled to proceed, from his ignorant Paphlagonians, to the enlisting of votaries, even among the Grecian philosophers, and men of the most eminent rank and distinction in Rome; nay, could engage the attention of that sage emperor Marcus Aurelius; so far as to make him trust the success of a military expedition to his delusive prophecies. 23 The advantages are so great, of starting an imposture among an ignorant people, that, even though the delusion should be too gross to impose on the generality of them (which, though seldom, is sometimes the case) it has a much better chance for succeeding in remote countries, than if the first scene had been laid in a city renowned for arts and knowledge. The most ignorant and barbarous of these barbarians carry the report abroad. None of their countrymen have a large correspondence, or sufficient credit and authority to contradict and beat down the delusion. Men’s inclination to the marvellous has full opportunity to display itself. And thus a story, which is universally exploded in the place where it was first started, shall pass for certain at a thousand miles distance. But had Alexander fixed his residence at Athens, the philosophers of that renowned mart of learning had immediately spread, throughout the whole Roman empire, their sense of the matter; which, being supported by so great authority, and displayed by all the force of reason and eloquence, had entirely opened the eyes of mankind. It is true; Lucian, passing by chance through Paphlagonia, had an opportunity of performing this good office. But, though much to be wished, it does not always happen, that every Alexander meets with a Lucian, ready to expose and detect his impostures.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christopher Hitchens" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-prophet-alexander-who-though-now/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alexander" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-prophet-alexander-who-though-now/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/christopher-hitchens-117_ignorant-people_it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-proph_1083365.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was a wise policy in that false prophet, Alexander, who though now forgotten, was once so famous, to lay…” — Christopher Hitchens", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Hitchens", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It was a wise policy in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-prophet-alexander-who-though-now/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-was-a-wise-policy-in-that-false-prophet-alexander-who-though-now/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```