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The most baleful mischiefs may be expected from the unmanly conduct of not daring to face truth because it is unpleasing.
Thomas Malthus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Avoiding unpleasant truths can lead to significant negative consequences.

This quote by Thomas Malthus emphasizes the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths rather than evading them due to their unpleasant nature. It suggests that ignoring these truths can result in serious misfortunes and mischiefs, reflecting a deeper understanding of the consequences tied to denial and avoidance in various aspects of life.

Themes

TruthCourageConfrontationWisdomMischief

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about leadership, one might use this quote to encourage honesty and transparency.

More from Thomas Malthus

Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.
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The prodigious waste of human life occasioned by this perpetual struggle for room and food, was more than supplied by the mighty power of population, acting, in some degree, unshackled, from the constant habit of emigration.
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The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.
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The rich, by unfair combinations, contribute frequently to prolong a season of distress among the poor.
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In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.
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I think it will be found that experience, _x000D_ the true source and foundation of all knowledge, _x000D_ invariably confirms its truth.
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