Book One Chapter 9 On Liars
Montaigne talks about having a poor memory. I sympathise, having a memory that blanks out both the important and the trivial. But I don't need to be too envious of those with wonderful memories for as Montaigne says “ excellent memories are often coupled with feeble judgements”. And then again the worse the memory the briefer the speech.
Then he comes to the main point – if you are going to lie then you had better have a good memory. I'm reminded of modern day politicians when he talks of liars being tripped up when those they have told different lies to come together and can compare what they have heard. In times past a politician in the far reaches of his constituency might say something to appease his constituents, knowing that it would hardly get to a wider audience. But these days it will rapidly appear on national television or be picked up by his/her opponents to be used as ammunition at the next election.
No comments:
Post a Comment