Jean-Léon Gérôme - Paintings & Drawings Quotes

“The Lie said to the Truth-
"Let's take a bath together,
the well water is very nice.

The Truth, still suspicious,
tested the water and found out
it really was nice.

So they got naked and bathed.

But suddenly, the Lie leapt out of the water
and fled, wearing the clothes of the Truth.
The Truth, furious, climbed out of the well
to get her clothes back.

But the World, upon seeing the naked Truth,
looked away, with anger and contempt.

Poor Truth returned to the well and disappeared
forever, hiding her shame.

Since then, the Lie runs around the world,
dressed as the Truth, and society is very happy.
Because the world has no desire to know
the naked Truth.”
― Jean-Léon Gérome, Jean-Léon Gérôme - Paintings & Drawings