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The public will believe anything, so long as it is not founded on truth.
Edith Sitwell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

People tend to accept ideas that lack truth, regardless of their validity.

This quote by Edith Sitwell suggests that the general populace is often willing to accept and believe in falsehoods rather than confront uncomfortable truths. It reflects a commentary on human nature and societal trends, emphasizing how misinformation can easily spread if it aligns with people’s beliefs or desires, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and a commitment to truth.

Themes

TruthBeliefDeceptionPublic OpinionCritical Thinking

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech addressing the spread of misinformation, one might say, 'As Edith Sitwell wisely noted, the public will believe anything, so long as it is not founded on truth.'

More from Edith Sitwell

Still falls the rain - dark as the world of man, black as our loss - blind as the nineteen hundred and forty nails upon the Cross.
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My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.
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It is part of the poet's work to show each man what he sees but does not know he sees.
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Poetry is the deification of reality.
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As for the usefulness of poetry, its uses are many. It is the deification of reality.
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Rhythm is one of the principal translators between dream and reality.
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