If everyone says so, it must be true.
If everyone says so, it must be true.
Meaning in plain English
Everyone saying something is treated as making it true. The saying gives consensus a decisive role in a claim.
Example
A reader investigates the basis of a widely repeated assertion instead of assuming repetition establishes it.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
A critical interpretation identifies the appeal to agreement without endorsing it as proof. Shared reports can be relevant evidence, but people may repeat the same unsupported claim or share an error. A useful application checks independent support rather than counting voices alone.
When to use it
Use it critically to distinguish agreement from evidential support.
Keep in mind
No truth guarantee follows from unanimity or widespread repetition.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
United States · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 160; PDF page 20; collection label: United States
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
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