---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a dreadful truth, but it is a truth…"
description: "\"“It is a dreadful truth, but it is a truth that cannot be concealed; in ability, in dexterity, in the distinctness of their views, the Jacobins are our..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/edmund-burke-400_truth_it-is-a-dreadful-truth-but-it-is-a-truth_92497.jpg"
---

#  It is a dreadful truth, but it is a truth that cannot be…

![“It is a dreadful truth, but it is a truth that cannot be concealed; in ability, in dexterity, in the distinctness of their views, the Jacobins are our superiors.” quote by Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/edmund-burke-400_truth_it-is-a-dreadful-truth-but-it-is-a-truth_92497.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/edmund-burke-400_truth_it-is-a-dreadful-truth-but-it-is-a-truth_92497.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/edmund-burke-400_truth_it-is-a-dreadful-truth-but-it-is-a-truth_92497.jpg)

> ““It is a dreadful truth, but it is a truth that cannot be concealed; in ability, in dexterity, in the distinctness of their views, the Jacobins are our superiors.””

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Burke acknowledges that the Jacobins, despite their terror, possess a superior political acumen and clear vision that cannot be ignored.

**In simple terms:** Jacobins' political skill surpasses others.

Key Takeaway

Even feared groups can hold valuable insights.

Themes

political power leadership revolution intellectual superiority historical analysis

Mood

reflective critical

Type

observation analysis

When to use this quote

- studying revolutionary movements
- evaluating political strategy
- teaching history

Key Concepts

political dynamics moral ambiguity

Practical Applications

- political analysis
- leadership training

Questions to Reflect On

- What does it mean to respect an opponent's competence?
- How can we learn from adversaries?

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