“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.”
- October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948
- British Indian Empire
- Lawyer, religious leader, social activist, political leader
- As a leader of the Indian independence movement, he advocated non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) and contributed to India’s independence from Britain.
Quote
“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mahatma Gandhi stresses the importance of truth and integrity. He points out that truth is not determined by the number of people who believe it, nor is error transformed into truth by widespread acceptance. For Gandhi, the objective nature of truth stands independent of human perception or popular opinion. This idea emphasizes that moral clarity and justice cannot be swayed by public consensus or the majority view. Regardless of how many people propagate a falsehood, or how few support the truth, it remains steadfast and immutable.
Gandhi’s focus on the immovable nature of truth reflects his deep commitment to nonviolence and moral consistency. He recognized that societal pressures, political power, or popular sentiment often shape people’s views of right and wrong, but that does not change the inherent rightness or wrongness of a matter. This conviction led him to oppose British colonial rule in India, despite widespread support for it globally, and to advocate for social justice even when the truth was inconvenient or ignored. For him, truth was a universal, ethical force, not subject to popular opinion.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the dangers of groupthink, misinformation, and the relativity of truth in the face of social influence. It reminds us that the validity of a belief or a claim is not dependent on how many people believe it or how loudly it is shouted. Gandhi’s philosophy encourages individuals to seek truth for its own sake, with the understanding that it might not always be recognized by the masses, but it will always stand the test of time.
