Quote by William James

As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it, so reasonable arguments, challenges to magnanimity, and appeals to sympathy or justice, are folly when we are dealing with human crocodiles and boa-constrictors.

As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those

Summary

This quote suggests that trying to reason with individuals who have inherently deceptive or manipulative tendencies is fruitless and naive. Just like there is no greater falsehood than a truth that is misinterpreted, attempting to present logical arguments, appeals to compassion or fairness to those who lack genuine empathy or have ulterior motives is foolish. It implies that engaging with deceitful or predatory individuals requires a different approach, as their true intentions and characteristics cannot be swayed or influenced by conventional means.

Topics

Persuasion

By William James

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