Conventions Quote by Thornton Wilder
“A convention is an agreed-upon falsehood, a permitted lie.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Bridge of San Luis Rey (fictional reference), null
Societies create shared falsehoods to maintain order, even though they’re knowingly false.
In simple terms: Conventions are agreed‑upon lies.
Key Takeaway
Question the foundations of social norms.
Themes
society
truth
convention
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- cultural rituals
- organizational policies
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we accept falsehoods?
- What happens when a convention collapses?
A Different Perspective
Breaking conventions can cause instability.
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