"It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong"

Throughout history, individuals who have challenged established authorities often faced significant personal risk. When dominant institutions, be they religious, political, or social, are invested in particular beliefs or systems, dissenting voices threaten not only the perceived correctness of those authorities but also their power, stability, and control. Admitting error is rarely palatable for those in positions of authority, since their legitimacy frequently rests on the presumption of being right, just, or divinely sanctioned.

To stand in opposition, therefore, is not merely an act of disagreement; it is perceived as an affront or a subversion. Those who expose the flaws, failures, or corruption of institutions face censure, ostracism, persecution, or even violence. History provides many examples: Galileo condemned for advocating heliocentrism, whistleblowers in autocratic regimes forced into exile or worse, reformers branded as heretics. Such repression arises because the act of being correct, in the face of official error, has far-reaching consequences, potentially undermining faith in the established order and inciting wider demands for change.

Another aspect to consider is the social atmosphere surrounding authority. When individuals challenge mistaken beliefs held by those with the means to enforce conformity, the social fabric can be strained. The questioning of accepted “truths” not only unsettles the established authorities but can also disturb the comfort of societal consensus. The courage to voice inconvenient truths, therefore, is not universally celebrated; it often inspires suspicion or hostility from the broader community as well as from leaders.

Despite these risks, such dissent is vital for human progress. Throughout time, the advancement of knowledge, justice, and human rights has often relied on those willing to speak out against prevailing orthodoxies, regardless of danger. The tension between authority and truth highlights the perennial difficulty, and necessity, of confronting power when it is aligned with error.