"Whatever deceives men seems to produce a magical enchantment"

Plato’s assertion that whatever deceives men seems to produce a magical enchantment gestures toward the captivating power of illusion and falsehood in the human experience. When people are deceived, whether by rhetorical artifice, visual illusion, or the seductive allure of appearances, the effect is often more than mere misunderstanding. It creates a spellbinding fascination, a strange pleasure that compels attention and engagement. This magical quality arises not because the deception is uncovered, but because it subtly reshapes perception, weaving a reality that feels more attractive, coherent, or alluring than the truth.

Art, drama, and poetry often draw on this enchanting nature of deception, inviting the audience to willingly suspend disbelief and enter into imagined worlds. The “magical enchantment” is not only found in outright lies but also in the subtle narratives humans tell themselves, whether in myths, comforting stories, cultural conventions, or the illusions of individual ego. There is a peculiar delight in being swept away by a deception that flatters, reassures, or entertains, even if only temporarily. The persistence of these enchantments can wield enormous influence, shaping societies, moral codes, and collective aspirations.

At the same time, the phrase warns of the dangers inherent in such enchantment. If deception is so enchanting, then people are vulnerable to manipulation by those who understand this dynamic, demagogues, sophists, advertisers, or anyone skilled in the art of crafting convincing illusions. Magic, after all, is not real; its wonders derive from hidden mechanisms, sleight of hand, or the cunning arrangement of appearances. To be enchanted is to be transported, but also to surrender, at least momentarily, one’s critical faculties. Plato, ever cautious about the seductive power of appearances over truth, raises this issue as a vital concern for anyone seeking genuine wisdom, reminding humanity that what is captivating is not always what is real or good.