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> It's pretty clear that he did not do any sort of "fascist salute" O RLY I guess this is basically our era's version of "point to a deer, call it a horse" (指

> It's pretty clear that he did not do any sort of "fascist salute" O RLY I guess this is basically our era's version of "point to a deer, call it a horse" (指鹿爲馬) [1]: > Zhao Gao was contemplating treason but was afraid the other officials would not heed his commands, so he decided to test them first. He brought a deer and presented it to the Second Emperor but called it a horse. The Second Emperor laughed and said, "Is the chancellor perhaps mistaken, calling a deer a horse?" Then the emperor questioned those around him. Some remained silent, while some, hoping to ingratiate themselves with Zhao Gao, said it was a horse, and others said it was a deer. Zhao Gao secretly arranged for all those who said it was a deer to be brought before the law and had them executed instantly. Thereafter the officials were all terrified of Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao gained military power as a result of that. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Gao https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Gao

mytailorisrich 2y ago
Not sure if replies purposely ignore the point, thereby proving it, or if I am expressing it badly (Edit: OK, so it is indeed the former...) If we want to use fancy proverbs to show our deep wisdom, I think the following French proverb is more apt to the situation: "If you want to kill your dog, accuse him of having rabies."
- zfg 2y ago
  If your dog is foaming at the mouth and acting erratically and aggressively then he does have rabies. It's always best to see things as they are.
  - ruicraveiro 2y ago
    Or the American saying, if it walks like a duck quacks like a duck and does a nazi salute, then it's definitely a nazi duck.
rsynnott 2y ago
"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." Hadn't realised this one had such a direct antecedent.

mytailorisrich 2y ago

Not sure if replies purposely ignore the point, thereby proving it, or if I am expressing it badly (Edit: OK, so it is indeed the former...) If we want to use fancy proverbs to show our deep wisdom, I think the following French proverb is more apt to the situation: "If you want to kill your dog, accuse him of having rabies."

zfg 2y ago
If your dog is foaming at the mouth and acting erratically and aggressively then he does have rabies. It's always best to see things as they are.
- ruicraveiro 2y ago
  Or the American saying, if it walks like a duck quacks like a duck and does a nazi salute, then it's definitely a nazi duck.

rsynnott 2y ago

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." Hadn't realised this one had such a direct antecedent.