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February 8, 2009
A Lie Well Told
Think what tedious years of study, thought, practice, experience, went to the equipment of that peerless old master who was able to impose upon the whole world the lofty and sounding maxim that "Truth is mighty and will prevail"-- the most majestic compound fracture of fact which any of woman born has yet achieved. The most outrageous lies that can be invented will find believers if a man only tells them with all his might [Mark Twain, from a June 16, 1867 letter in the San Francisco Alta California].
"For the history of our race, and each individual's experience, are sewn thick with evidences that a truth is not hard to kill, and that a lie well told is immortal [Mark Twain, Advice to Youth', April, 15 1882]."
Wonder why I'm reproducing these two quotations? Well, there are many reasons. PZ Myers provides today's motivation at Pharyngula. No, PZ isn't lying. He's reporting on what appears to be a lie, a lie well told, and often repeated.
Posted by Duane Smith at February 8, 2009 1:22 PM | Read more on Science - General |
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