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Gradually I came to realize that people will more readily swallow lies than truth, as if the taste of lies was homey, appetizing: a habit.
Martha Gellhorn
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Interpretation

What this quote means

People often prefer comforting lies over harsh truths.

This quote encapsulates the tendency of individuals to accept falsehoods because they are more palatable than the sometimes uncomfortable reality of truth. It suggests that lies can become habitual, providing a false sense of comfort, while truth may be more challenging to confront.

Themes

TruthLiesComfortHabitReality

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about honesty in relationships, this quote highlights the importance of facing the truth even when it's difficult.

More from Martha Gellhorn

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I followed the war wherever I could reach it.
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Thousand got away to other countries; thousands returned to Spain tempted by false promises of kindness. By the tens of thousands, these Spaniards died of neglect in the concentration camps.
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By its existence, the Peace Movement denies that governments know best; it stands for a different order of priorities: the human race comes first.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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