The Dangers of Exaggerated Truth

G.K. Chesterton famous noted that a heresy was not so much an untruth, but an exaggerated truth.

I wish to make another twist to that observation and argue that overall an exaggerated truth is far more dangerous than an untruth. Why is that so? With an untruth, you can just reply to it with the truth - plain and simple.

With an exaggerated truth, however, one must first concede to the fact that is indeed true on some level, but just not true in the right proportions. To which then one is obligated to present what exactly is the truth in rightful proportions. This can become a very messy business if one does not tread carefully.

Today we are constantly bombarbed with all sorts of abstract concepts like "equality", "freedom", "diversity", "humanity", "choice", and so on. Not that there is anything wrong with these concepts per se, but they must be addressed on a more reasonable concrete level, which among other things means acknowledging their limits. Only then do they have any significant meaning at all.

There's this delusion that the more a truth is exaggerated, the more it becomes true. "More is better!" as the saying goes.

A simple journey into the realm of common sense shows this is not so. Sure, drinking beer can be a rather lively experience; but drinking too much will cause severe health problems or even death!

Sugar is indeed sweet, but too much of it rots your teeth.

Just some random food for thought.