Which truth?

In the fifth century BC, the Sophists travelled throughout Greece earning their living by imparting advice that would lead to political success. They gave lectures and took on pupils, charging huge fees. They taught young politicians how to persuade crowds to believe what they wanted them to believe. The Sophists bragged of their ability to convince a person that black was white, and to give satisfactory answers to questions one knew nothing about. They used clever word artistry and baroque metaphors to confuse and quieten their opponents, and were not interested in seeking truth. They responded to the public’s desire to succeed without expending any effort or gaining any knowledge, merely by emulating success and cleverness. It’s a very old business.