Truth and falsehood : A dialogue
F: Philosophers claim we don’t go along but they don’t understand our relationship: It is intimate: I speak like you, I dress like you; I am the one who pays the closest attention to you. I am grateful you exist.
T: How come?
F: My success derives from the fact that I carefully apply myself to look like you, from small details to the big picture.
T: Don’t you think it is a bit futile? By looking like me you do not become me.
F: Who cares? Pretending gives possibilities. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, I borrow so many shapes, I polish my identities…
…but end up with none.
F: Pretending is more useful than being.
T: This is not …true.
F: Ha, this futile word again is it? My resemblance with you is all what I need to win this race and you would know a winner when you see one wouldn’t you? Look how many people follow me! I make them fall in love, I throw them into wars.
T: Yes, I must admit, you do.
F: Of all the people, you cannot deny my success; poor you! You cannot serve the suave wine of hypocrisy, you cannot manipulate or twist, you cannot cheat or fake, how could you win?
T: You want to know? You run a sprint but this race is a marathon. There is a little misunderstanding but I wouldn’t expect you to get it right, would I?
F: So what happens at the end of the race?
T: I shall destroy you.