"L'exagération est la vérité qui a perdu son calme"

When we lose our grip on the truth, we often find ourselves exaggerating. It’s like taking a small piece of reality and stretching it until it’s unrecognizable. Exaggeration happens when the truth gets heated and distorted, blowing things out of proportion. Imagine a balloon being filled with air—there's a limit to how much it can hold before it pops. Similarly, truth can only be stretched so far before it becomes exaggeration.

This idea can be linked to how we communicate in stressful situations. Take a moment when you’re deeply passionate or frustrated—it's easy to let emotions take over and twist the truth into something larger than life. For example, in the heat of an argument, you might say, "You always forget my birthday!" when, in reality, it’s happened once or twice. The core truth—that forgetting your birthday hurts—gets lost in the exaggerated "always."

Let's look at a practical application. Picture a salesperson trying to sell a product. If they start making grandiose claims like, "This gadget will change your life forever!" instead of sticking to the actual benefits, they might lose credibility. Customers can sense when they're being oversold. Exaggeration might grab attention, but it can also backfire, leading to distrust.

Now, how can we apply this wisdom in our own lives? First, be aware of your emotional state when communicating. If you find yourself getting worked up, take a deep breath and try to stick to the facts. It’s okay to express how you feel, but aim for accuracy. Another tip is to practice empathy—think about how the other person will perceive your words. Are you exaggerating to make a point? How might that impact their response?

Imagine you're at a family dinner, and the conversation turns to your latest project at work. Excited and proud, you start explaining how it's the best thing the company's ever seen. Your enthusiasm is genuine, but you might be overstating things. Suddenly, your cousin chimes in with a skeptical look, "Really? The best ever?" Your face flushes, and you realize you might've gone a bit overboard. By keeping your claims grounded in reality, you maintain credibility and foster more meaningful conversations.

In storytelling, exaggeration has its place—think of tall tales or comedy. But in conveying truth, it’s a slippery slope. Next time you’re about to stretch the truth, remember that it’s okay to keep things real. Authentic communication builds trust. So, try to temper your truth before it overheats and becomes something it’s not.