“The false is nothing but an imitation of the true.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“The false is nothing but an imitation of the true.”
Explanation
Cicero defines falsehood not as an independent reality, but as a distortion or mimicry of truth. This suggests that all lies, deceptions, and errors derive their appearance of legitimacy from their resemblance to what is real or right. The false, then, is parasitic—it borrows the form or structure of truth while lacking its substance, and thus can only exist in relation to what it seeks to imitate.
This philosophical idea reflects Cicero’s grounding in Platonic and Stoic thought, where truth is objective and grounded in reason, while falsehood is a deviation from it. Just as counterfeit coins rely on the recognition of genuine currency, so too do lies depend on mimicking the credible to be persuasive. Cicero, as an orator and statesman, was deeply aware of how rhetoric could be used either to reveal or to obscure the truth, and how recognizing the imitation is key to resisting manipulation.
In modern contexts—from media and politics to personal relationships—Cicero’s observation is still vital. Disinformation, propaganda, and scams all work by dressing falsehood in the garb of the familiar and the true. His insight reminds us to sharpen our discernment: to know truth deeply so we can recognize and resist its imitations, and uphold integrity in a world often clouded by appearances.
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