Quotations out of context take a line in isolation to produce a meaning different from the original. It is common in political propaganda, media debates, and superstitious rhetoric.
Example
“I do not think God plays dice” (Einstein).
(Used to suggest a religious belief that was not part of his argument.)
Applied example (political)
“The minister said ‘there is no crisis’.”
(It omits that the full line was "there is no fuel crisis".)
Applied example (mystical)
“A teacher said ‘everything is energy’.”
(It omits that it was a metaphor, not a physical claim.)
Why it is fallacious
- Meaning depends on the full context.
- The author’s intent is distorted.
- The original argument is avoided.
How to spot it
- Quotes without a source or surrounding text.
- Selective cuts that remove nuance.
- A new framing that changes the message.
How to respond
- Ask for the full source and paragraph.
- Check whether the quote preserves the real sense.
- Evaluate the whole argument, not a single line.