--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want the truth rather than merely…" description: "\"If you want the truth rather than merely something to say, you will have a good deal less to say.\" — Thomas Nagel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/thomas-nagel-9440_deals_if-you-want-the-truth-rather-than-merely_1537599.jpg" --- # If you want the truth rather than merely something to say… ![“If you want the truth rather than merely something to say, you will have a good deal less to say.” quote by Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/thomas-nagel-9440_deals_if-you-want-the-truth-rather-than-merely_1537599.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/thomas-nagel-9440_deals_if-you-want-the-truth-rather-than-merely_1537599.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/thomas-nagel-9440_deals_if-you-want-the-truth-rather-than-merely_1537599.jpg) > “If you want the truth rather than merely something to say, you will have a good deal less to say.” [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking truth reduces the need for needless speech; truth is concise and self-evident. **In simple terms:** Truth needs less words. Key Takeaway Value clarity over verbosity. Themes truth communication philosophy Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - debates - writing - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts epistemology linguistics Questions to Reflect On - What truths do you avoid saying? - How can you simplify your message? A Different Perspective Complex ideas may still require explanation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [To say that a man is an idealist is merely to say that he is a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/to-say-that-a-man-is-an-idealist-is-merely-to-say-that-he-is-a-man/) [Gilbert K. 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So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/a-writer-who-says-that-there-are-no-truths-or-that-all-truth-is/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [Truth is not merely what we are thinking, but also why, to whom and under what circumstances we say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/truth-is-not-merely-what-we-are-thinking-but-also-why-to-whom-and/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [The will to truth is merely the longing for a stable world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-will-to-truth-is-merely-the-longing-for-a-stable-world/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Truth is merely common sense, say the naive realist. Really? Then where, precisely, is the location of--a rainbow? In the air? 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Well, there is the hypothesis that this universe is not unique, but that all possible universes exist, and we find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/are-there-any-alternatives-well-there-is-the-hypothesis-that-this/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [If we tried to rely entirely on reason, and pressed it hard, our lives and beliefs would collapse - a form of madness that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/if-we-tried-to-rely-entirely-on-reason-and-pressed-it-hard-our-lives/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Eventually, I believe, current attempts to understand the mind by analogy with man-made computers that can perform superbly some of the same external tasks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/eventually-i-believe-current-attempts-to-understand-the-mind-by/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) [Explore all 72 Thomas Nagel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) ## More Deals quotes > [Right now we're concerned about budget. 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