Edward R. Murrow in: Thomas L. McPhail Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders and Trends, John Wiley & Sons, 14 November 2013, p. 69
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American traditions and the American ethic require us to be truthful, but the most important reason is the best propaganda and lies are the worst. To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful. It is as simple as that.
— Edward R. Murrow on Persuasion
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "American traditions and the American ethic require us to be truthful, but the most important reason is the best propaganda and lies are the worst. To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful. It is as simple as that." in the context of "Edward R. Murrow in: Thomas L. McPhail Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders and Trends, John Wiley & Sons, 14 November 2013, p. 69" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Persuasion" (Quotes: Quotes are arranged alphabetically by author, M - R)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow (born Egbert Roscoe Murrow; 25 April 1908 – 27 April 1965) was an American journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada. Many journalists consider Murrow one of journalism's greatest figures. A pioneer of television news broadcasting, Murrow produced a series of TV news reports that helped lead to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
About Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow (born Egbert Roscoe Murrow; 25 April 1908 – 27 April 1965) was an American journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada. Many journalists consider Murrow one of journalism's greatest figures. A pioneer of television news broadcasting, Murrow produced a series of TV news reports that helped lead to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
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