Quote#Truth
Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters…
Quote byGeorge Bancroft · 1800–1891
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Literary and Historical Miscellanies (1855), "Ennui", p. 64.
English (original)
Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement; and if a story is told of more than common interest, ennui is sure to have its joy in adding embellishments. If hours did not hang heavy, what would become of scandal?
— George Bancroft
More from George Bancroft
Institutions may crumble and governments fall, but it is only that they may renew a better youth, and mount upwards like the eagle.
By common consent grey hairs are a crown of glory; the only object of respect that can never excite envy.
Avarice is the vice of declining years.
The fears of one class of men are not the measure of the rights of another.
Ennui is the desire of activity without the fit means of gratifying the desire.
The best government rests on the people and not on the few, on persons and not on property, on the free development of public opinion and not on authority.