The chapter opens with a quote from Voltaire. Voltaire says that if you lie big enough, people will eventually believe it, but if you keep repeating it, the lie will have to be maintained for long enough so that the state can protect the people from its political, economic, and military consequences. If the state lies, then the truth is its greatest enemy. Voltaire goes on to say that if the state does not suppress dissent, the truth will be the greatest enemy for the state.