Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
William HazlittRead
The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often prefer illusions and flattery over honest truth.
William Hazlitt's quote reflects on the human tendency to be enamored by superficialities and deceitful appearances rather than embracing clear and honest truths. It suggests that while people may enjoy the comfort of illusions, their intolerance for raw honesty reveals a deeper complexity in human nature, and to confront this truth can be both daunting and liberating.
Themes
TruthHonestyIllusionDeceptionAppearance
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about authenticity, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of honesty.
More from William Hazlitt
All quotes βOur repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
William HazlittRead
We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.
William HazlittRead
There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
William HazlittRead
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.
William HazlittRead
One is always more vexed at losing a game of any sort by a single hole or ace, than if one has never had a chance of winning it.
William HazlittRead
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