Full Idea
It is not on account of our truly thinking that you are white that you are white; rather it is on account of your being white that we who assert as much are telling the truth.
Gist of Idea
Truth-thinking does not make it so; it being so is what makes it true
Source
Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1051b10)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.281
A Reaction
Some philosophers say this makes truth a derivative property, and is central to truth-maker theories. Kit Fine claims the reverse - that things exist because of the truths - but I don't really understand that (or agree with it).
Related Idea
Idea 12216 Real objects are those which figure in the facts that constitute reality [Fine,K]