Description

200 Truisms That Aren’t True

Every society runs on stories. Some are inspiring, guiding us toward wisdom, courage, and
compassion. Others are repeated so often they harden into what we call “truisms” —
short, catchy sayings that sound like wisdom but are not always true.
You’ve heard them your whole life:

• “Money equals happiness.”
• “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
• “The customer is always right.”
• “People never change.”

At first glance, these phrases feel harmless. Many are well-intentioned. But over time, they
can mislead us, distort our values, and even cause harm. They simplify life’s complexity
into one-size-fits-all clichés. And when we live by them uncritically, we risk frustration,
disillusionment, or worse — we pass them along, unknowingly binding others to the same
traps.

The purpose of this book is not to tear down tradition for the sake of rebellion. It is to offer
clarity and freedom. Each chapter identifies common truisms across different areas of
life — work, love, health, society, education, morality, and human nature — and carefully
examines why they are not fully true, what damage they cause, and what wiser alternative
we can embrace.

This is not about cynicism. It is about compassion. Many of us inherited these sayings from
parents, teachers, and leaders who meant well. But if we want to grow — as individuals
and as communities — we must replace oversimplification with discernment, and replace
rigid slogans with thoughtful wisdom.

Think of this book as a toolkit. It doesn’t give you answers to every question, but it does
help you ask better ones. It challenges assumptions, sparks reflection, and equips you to
live with deeper awareness.

At its heart, this book carries a simple motif: to help others. By freeing ourselves from
false truisms, we also free those around us. When we stop repeating harmful clichés, we
open space for truth, nuance, and hope to take root.

If even one person who reads this feels lighter, wiser, or more empowered to live
authentically — then this book has done its job.

So let us begin the journey. Together, we’ll unmask 200 truisms that aren’t true — and
discover the better wisdom waiting on the other side