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Quote

Tell all the truth but tell it slant.

Emily DickinsonTell all the truth but tell it slant (c. 1868)

Note

Dickinson suggests that truth, when delivered too directly, can be overwhelming. 'Telling it slant'—approaching truth gently, indirectly—allows others to receive it more fully. This line values tact and subtlety, recognizing that wisdom often arrives best when offered with care, leaving space for gradual understanding rather than sudden shock.