Truth and falsehood are opposed; but truth is the norm not of truth only but of falsehood also.
C. S. LewisRead
The most striking contradiction of our civilization is the fundamental reverence for truth which we profess and the thorough-going disregard for it which we practice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the discrepancy between our proclaimed values and our actual behaviors regarding truth.
Vilhjalmur Stefansson's quote points out a significant irony in modern civilization: while society claims to hold truth in high esteem, individuals and institutions often behave in ways that contradict this professed reverence. It suggests that there is a widespread insincerity or hypocrisy in how we engage with truth, leading to a disconnect between our ideals and our actions.
Themes
TruthHypocrisyCivilizationValuesIrony
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about integrity at a corporate event.
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