"A man calumniated is doubly injured - first by him who utters the calumny, and then by him who believes it"
- Herodotus
About this Quote
This quote by Herodotus speaks to the power of words and the damage they can cause. When someone is calumniated, or wrongly accused of something, they are not just injured by the individual who made the accusation, however likewise by those who think it. This is because the accusation can have a long lasting effect on the person's track record, even if it is proven to be false. The quote is a tip that words can be powerful and damaging, and that we ought to beware with what we say and how we say it. It also serves as an alerting to be cautious of believing allegations without evidence, as it can cause unnecessary damage to someone's reputation. Ultimately, this quote acts as a tip to be conscious of the power of words and to hesitate before thinking something without evidence.
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