Quote by Lin Yutang
Society can exist only on the basis that there is some amount of polished lying and that no one says exactly as he thinks.
Summary
This quote suggests that the functioning of society relies on a certain level of deception, where individuals do not always express their true thoughts or opinions. It implies that people engage in "polished lying," carefully presenting themselves or their ideas in a way that is socially acceptable or advantageous, rather than being completely transparent. The quote implies that if everyone were to express their thoughts exactly as they think them without any filtering, it would disrupt the delicate balance of social interaction and potentially undermine the smooth functioning of society.
Topics
Society
By Lin Yutang