I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.
Truth is the greatest of all national possessions. A state, a people, a system which suppresses the truth or fears to publish it, deserves to collapse.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Truth is essential for a society's integrity and survival. A nation that hides or fears the truth is doomed to fail.
Kurt Eisner's quote emphasizes the critical role that truth plays in the fabric of a society. He argues that when a government or community suppresses or avoids confronting the truth, it undermines its own stability and moral foundation. In essence, a lack of openness and transparency is indicative of deeper issues that, if left unaddressed, will lead to the downfall of that society. Truth is not only a virtue but a fundamental requirement for a healthy political and social landscape.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of freedom of the press.
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