“The greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”
What this quote means
Jean-François Revel warns against a more insidious enemy than the lie: the myth. The lie is deliberate and can be fought with truth. The myth, however, is persistent, persuasive, and often unconscious. It shapes our beliefs and perceptions without us realizing it. It is therefore harder to uncover. This reflection invites us to examine our prejudices and the received ideas that seem natural but are in fact constructions.
How to apply it daily
Question a belief you take for granted. Seek contradictory sources of information and challenge your certainties.
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