I'm sure you've all heard the phrase "Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see." The quote is from the short story “The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether” by Edgar Allan Poe. It appeared in the November 1845 issue of “Graham’s Magazine”. The tale was set in a private hospital for the mentally ill, and the phrase was spoken by the "head" of the institution (who had once been the superintendent before going mad himself). The full quote is "You are young yet, my friend,” replied my host, “but the time will arrive when you will learn to judge for yourself of what is going on in the world, without trusting to the gossip of others. Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see."

Considering the half truths, obvious omissions and lack of real journalism that we're being spoon fed nowadays, I thought you would enjoy the story behind the phrase. If you want to read more Edgar Allan Poe works, go to www.PoeStories.com by Robert Giordano.