Believed Quote by Paul Valery
“That which has been believed by everyone, always and everywhere, has every chance of being false.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Art of Thinking,” 1911
Collective belief can become a false consensus, so widespread acceptance does not guarantee truth.
In simple terms: Popular ideas can be wrong.
Question widely accepted beliefs.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic research
- media consumption
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify popular claims?
- When should you trust the majority?
Consensus can also reflect genuine insight.