Fiction Quote by Shen Tao
““Do you think any of my brothers truly wish to die? The pretense is more insulting to my father’s cold body than if they had not gotten on their knees at all.' I kept my eyes on the carpet. I understood his way of thinking—I really did. But at the same time, I could not bring myself to agree. If I was really his wife who loved him, if I really wanted to help him become a better emperor, I might have advised him differently. Terren, I might have said, don’t you know? Sometimes pretense is everything. For the people who have never stepped foot within the palace walls , I might have told him, rumors are all they have. For those who live a thousand li away, who have never seen your face, stories are all they know. For the little girls in villages, far from the capital, all they have of you are pieces others give them. Terren, don’t you know? Sometimes fiction is more important than the truth. But I was going to kill him tomorrow, so I said nothing.””
About This Quote
Source Fiction: Unknown novel
The narrator reflects on pretense, rumors, and fiction versus truth while contemplating a lethal decision.
In simple terms: Pretense and rumors shape perception of truth.
Key Takeaway
Consider truth versus fiction.
Themes
pretense
rumor
truth
fiction
morality
Mood
tenious
melancholic
Type
fictional
dramatic
When to use this quote
- strategic planning
- conflict resolution
- storytelling
Key Concepts
ethical dilemma
political intrigue
psychological conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- When is fiction more useful than truth?
- How do rumors influence power?
A Different Perspective
Fiction may oversimplify complexity.
