Alliance Quote by Sydney Smith
“Errors, to be dangerous, must have a great deal of truth mingled with them. It is only from this alliance that they can ever obtain an extensive circulation.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectator, 1819
Errors spread when they contain a kernel of truth, making them believable and shareable.
In simple terms: Truth makes errors persuasive.
Key Takeaway
Check facts before sharing.
Themes
communication
truth
error
media
influence
Mood
cautious
critical
skeptical
Type
advisory
informative
When to use this quote
- news reporting
- social media
- political discourse
- public health messaging
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
information spread
social proof
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify information?
- What makes a false claim seem credible?
A Different Perspective
Even true elements can be twisted, leading to misinformation.
![“[T]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury hates the abstract truths of science as much as he hates concrete truth in human affairs, now is his time for getting rid of the multiplication table, and…” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/709/sydney-smith-6523_abstract_t-he-47th-proposition-in-euclid-might-no_463551.jpg)
