"Accuracy to a newspaper is what virtue is to a lady; but a newspaper can always print a retraction"
- Adlai E. Stevenson
About this Quote
This quote by Adlai E. Stevenson is a comparison in between the value of accuracy to a paper and the importance of virtue to a woman. It recommends that precision is simply as important to a paper as virtue is to a woman. It implies that accuracy is a fundamental part of a newspaper's reliability and track record. The quote also implies that errors can be made, but a newspaper can constantly print a retraction to fix any mistakes. This suggests that papers need to pursue precision and ought to be willing to take duty for any errors they make. The quote likewise suggests that papers should be held to a high requirement of accuracy and should be willing to take responsibility for any mistakes they make. Ultimately, this quote is a suggestion that precision is necessary for a paper's reliability and credibility, which papers should constantly want to print a retraction if essential.
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