Too easy Quote by Walter Kaufmann
““Not all deceptions are palatable. Untruths are too easy to come by, too quickly exploded, too cheap and ephemeral to give lasting comfort. Mundus vult decipi, but there is a hierarchy of deceptions. Near the bottom of the ladder is journalism: a steady stream of irresponsible distortions that most people find refreshing although on the morning after, or at least within a week, it will be stale and flat. On a higher level we find fictions that men eagerly believe, regardless of the evidence, because they gratify some wish. Near the top of the ladder we encounter curious mixtures of untruth and truth that exert a lasting fascination on the intellectual community.””
About This Quote
Deceptions vary in depth; journalism offers fleeting falsehoods, while higher‑level myths captivate intellect.
In simple terms: Not all lies are equal; some are shallow, some profound.
Key Takeaway
Question the truth behind narratives.
Themes
truth
deception
media
intellect
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- political discourse
- fiction analysis
- academic research
Key Concepts
philosophy
critical thinking
media studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What narratives do you accept without scrutiny?
- How do you differentiate useful myths from harmful lies?
A Different Perspective
Higher truths can be equally misleading.
![“I don't like to see facts twisted, untruths fabricated to give the [Supreme Court] nominee a black eye, even before he comes before Senate committee.” quote by Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/617/chuck-grassley-12398_black_i-don-t-like-to-see-facts-twisted-untrut_1952067.jpg)
