Accepted Quote by Epeli Hau'ofa
“One of the more positive aspects of our existence in Oceania is that truth is flexible and negotiable, despite attempts by some of us to impose political, religious, and other forms of absolutionism. Versions of truth may be accepted for particular purposes and moments, only to be reversed when circumstances demand other versions; and we often accede to things just to stop being bombarded, and then go ahead and do what we want to do anyway.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Our Sea of Islands” (1993)
Truth can be adapted to context, often used flexibly, and sometimes reversed when needed.
In simple terms: Truth changes with circumstances and purposes.
Key Takeaway
Stay critical of how truth is framed.
Themes
philosophy
politics
relativism
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political debates
- media analysis
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
truth
flexibility
negotiation
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you accepted a version of truth for convenience?
- How can you test the stability of a claim?
A Different Perspective
Truth may be manipulated to serve power, limiting genuine discourse.
![“We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. [But] we should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I don’t want to be like the other animals watching the planet go down the drain. I’ll be a hummingbird, I’ll do…” quote by Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/25d/wangari-maathai-2479_animal_we-re-constantly-being-bombarded-by-prob_1333608.jpg)
![“The first time I saw a picture of [fabled actress] Ethel Barrymore - she was on Broadway and she was wearing pearls. I thought, "That's who I should grow up to be." It's odd, because it was her physical image that I wanted; I had no idea what it was like actually to be her. In those days, we…” quote by Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cb/bette-midler-1976_actresses_the-first-time-i-saw-a-picture-of-fabled_408548.jpg)
![“That the past is ahead, in front of us, is a conception of time that helps us retain our memories and to be aware of its presents. What is behind us [the future] cannot be seen and is liable to be forgotten readily. What is ahead of us [the past] cannot be forgotten so readily or ignored, for it…” quote by Epeli Hau'ofa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b4e/epeli-hau-ofa-69505_alive_that-the-past-is-ahead-in-front-of-us-is_1614383.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
![“I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become so accepted now, and somebody said, 'You know the Oprah show, I think has had a big impact.'" I said, I don't think so. We did several transgender [shows], but we didn't…” quote by Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd3/oprah-winfrey-186_accepted_i-was-in-a-conversation-and-someone-said_25645.jpg)
