People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before
The Iron Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, a man who knew the intricacies of politics and the tempests of nations, once declared with biting clarity: “People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.” In this simple triad, Bismarck unmasks the frailty of human truth, showing us the moments when pride, fear, and ambition bend the tongue most easily. His words are not the musings of a cynic but the observations of one who had watched the stage of power and seen how men adorn falsehood as if it were virtue.
The hunt, in its ancient sense, was more than the pursuit of prey. It was a contest of skill, boasting, and honor among peers. After the hunt, men returned to the fire, each eager to recount their triumphs, to magnify the size of the beast or the daring of the chase. Thus, lies of pride are born—exaggerations to win glory, distortions to cover failure. Bismarck names it first, for it reveals the root of human deceit: the desire to appear greater than one is.
But in war, the lies deepen and grow darker. Leaders cloak their defeats as victories, generals hide the cost of blood, and nations dress slaughter in the garments of honor. Propaganda is unleashed, not merely as falsehood but as a weapon as sharp as any sword. Think of the First World War, when governments promised their people swift victory, only to send millions to years of mud and misery. In the fog of war, truth is often the first casualty, sacrificed to keep the fires of courage burning and the wheels of conflict turning.
Then comes the election, the battlefield of words rather than weapons. Here, lies take the form of promises—grand visions of prosperity, safety, and justice, spoken to charm the ear of the people. History is filled with such deceits. In ancient Rome, politicians promised bread and circuses, not for the welfare of the people but for their own ascent to power. In modern times, candidates speak of taxes cut, jobs created, corruption destroyed—yet too often these are illusions crafted for the moment, vanishing like mist when power is won. Bismarck, himself a master of political maneuver, knew well how words are twisted before the ballot is cast.
One story illustrates this clearly: before the Second World War, Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich declaring “peace for our time,” believing that Hitler’s appetite had been satisfied. It was not peace but deceit, and the cost of that lie was soon measured in rivers of blood. Here, as in war and election, truth was not merely bent but shattered, and people clung to words that soothed them even as danger grew. Bismarck’s wisdom cuts to the heart: in moments of pride, fear, or ambition, people grasp at falsehoods as if they were lifelines.
The lesson for us is piercing. We cannot abolish lies, for they rise from the soil of human weakness. But we can guard ourselves against them. When tales are told of triumph, listen for exaggeration. When nations march to battle, seek out the hidden costs. When politicians speak before elections, measure their promises not by the music of their words but by the weight of their deeds. The wise do not swallow every word offered to them; they test, they question, they discern.
Therefore, let this wisdom be carried forward: do not be seduced by the boasting after the hunt, the fervor during the war, or the promises before the election. In these times, lies flow like rivers, but truth still shines for those with patient eyes and discerning ears. Guard your heart, sharpen your judgment, and remember that the greatest strength is not in believing what pleases, but in facing what is real. For those who love truth, though it is often bitter, will walk more securely than those who live by comforting illusions.
MPNguyen Thi Minh Phuong
This quote raises an interesting point about how people’s behavior changes when they are under pressure, such as in a hunt, a war, or an election. What makes these specific situations more prone to dishonesty? Is it the fear of failure, the desire for power, or simply the desire to present oneself in the best possible light? And how can we hold people accountable when dishonesty becomes so ingrained in these high-stakes scenarios?
VHLe Van Hung
Bismarck's words seem to suggest that people’s honesty is easily compromised in certain high-stakes situations. It makes me think about how politicians, in particular, might be prone to bending the truth before elections. What drives this tendency to lie in such moments? Is it fear, ambition, or something else that makes truth so malleable when facing intense pressure?
LTlong tran
I find Bismarck’s quote to be a sobering reflection on human behavior during critical moments. Whether it's the stress of war, the competition of hunting, or the pressure of an election, it’s clear that dishonesty can thrive when the stakes are high. Does this imply that honesty is only valued when the pressure is low, or does it reveal something deeper about how we navigate difficult or high-stakes situations?
NHNhi Ha
This quote by Bismarck resonates with the idea that in high-stress situations like war, hunting, or elections, the truth often takes a backseat to personal gain. It seems like people are more willing to distort reality when their interests are on the line. What does this say about human nature? Are we more likely to bend the truth when we feel it’s necessary to survive or succeed?
NAnguyen ngoc anh
Bismarck’s statement seems to highlight the lengths people will go to during times of high stakes, such as war, hunting, or elections. It makes me wonder if the pressure and uncertainty of these situations lead to dishonesty as a coping mechanism. Do you think there’s an underlying truth to this? Is it that people feel the need to exaggerate, mislead, or withhold information to gain an advantage or protect themselves?