People · 1763
Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts.
— Voltaire • Le Chapon et la Poularde
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
A cynical view of human nature: people lean on reasoning merely to justify unfair behaviour, and they talk mostly to hide what they actually think. It sets thought and speech up as tools of cover rather than honesty, which is a sharp, pessimistic claim.
Context reviewed