{
  "id": 3226804,
  "title": "Quote of the day by Jean Cocteau: ‘One must not take mistake majority for truth’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/quote-of-the-day-by-jean-cocteau-one-must-not-take-mistake-majority",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T08:36:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/quote-of-the-day-by-jean-cocteau-one-must-not-take-mistake-majority-for-truth-11787639975295.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "French writer and filmmaker Jean Cocteau once famously remarked, \"One must not take the majority mistake for truth.\" This quote highlights the common human tendency to trust popular opinion as the ultimate authority, even when it contradicts the truth.\n\nCocteau, known for his defiance of artistic norms and his association with the surrealists and Dadaists, stresses that the size of a group's agreement does not necessarily equate to the correctness of a belief. While popular views may seem reassuring, they are merely a reflection of what the majority finds fashionable or fashionable, rather than inherent truth.\n\nThe quote serves as a gentle reminder that popular opinion, while influential, should not be blindly accepted as fact. It is crucial to question and analyze claims based on evidence and logical reasoning, rather than succumbing to the pressure of following the crowd.\n\nIn today's world, where social media and mass media can quickly spread misinformation, Cocteau's words remain highly relevant. The ease with which a false claim can be repeated and accepted as truth highlights the importance of critical thinking and skepticism. Believing something simply because it is popular can be misleading and dangerous, as history has shown us time and again.\n\nThe quote also encourages us to recognize the value of minorities who may possess innovative or groundbreaking ideas. Many historically accepted truths were initially met with skepticism and rejection by the majority. These minority perspectives often paved the way for future breakthroughs and advancements.\n\nUltimately, Cocteau's quote reminds us that popularity should not be the sole basis for accepting or rejecting ideas. It urges us to prioritize evidence, reasoning, and open-mindedness in our quest for truth. By questioning the majority's stance and relying on objective analysis, we can navigate the complexities of an often misleading world and arrive at more accurate and informed conclusions.",
  "summary": "Ideas are often judged by popularity, but history shows the majority can be wrong. The pressure to equate popularity with truth is strong, yet one must rely on evidence and reasoning rather than consensus to determine correctness.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}