"Fable is more historical than fact, because fact tells us about one man and fable tells us about a million men"
- Gilbert K. Chesterton
About this Quote
This quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton suggests that fables are more valuable than realities when it pertains to comprehending history. Fables are stories that have been passed down through generations, frequently with a moral lesson. They offer insight into the worths and beliefs of a culture, and can be used to understand how individuals lived in the past. Truths, on the other hand, are limited to a single individual or event. While facts can supply important details, they can not provide the same level of insight into a culture as a fable can. Myths can tell us about the beliefs and values of a million individuals, while facts can only inform us about one. For that reason, myths are more useful for understanding history than facts.
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