Folly Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““But it were folly to lay any stress on stories of this kind, which are sure to spring up around such an event as that now related, and which, as in the present case, sometimes prolong themselves for ages afterwards, like the toadstools that indicate where the fallen and buried trunk of a tree has long since mouldered into the earth.””
About This Quote
Stories that arise from sensational events often become exaggerated legends, persisting like fungi that grow on decaying wood.
In simple terms: Sensational tales linger and distort over time.
Key Takeaway
Myths grow from truth.
Themes
mythmaking
history
storytelling
decay
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical quote
When to use this quote
- media coverage of scandals
- urban legends
- historical reinterpretations
Key Concepts
collective memory
narrative distortion
Practical Applications
- critical analysis of source reliability
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors cause a story to become a lasting legend?
A Different Perspective
Not all narratives become myths; some fade quickly.
