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Costly Quote by Henry Lewis Mencken

“The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is thechief occupation of mankind.” quote by Henry Lewis Mencken
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“The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is thechief occupation of mankind.”

Henry Lewis Mencken

About This Quote

Passionate belief in falsehoods is humanity’s greatest folly, leading to widespread error.

In simple terms: Believing strongly in lies is a major mistake.

Key Takeaway

Question your convictions.

Themes

truth belief folly human nature

Mood

critical thought‑provoking

Type

philosophical cautionary

When to use this quote

  • political discourse
  • media consumption
  • education
  • personal relationships

Key Concepts

cognitive bias critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • What beliefs do you hold without evidence?
  • How do you verify truth?
A Different Perspective

Passionate belief can also inspire positive change.

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