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a salesman is an it that stinks to please but whether to…

“a salesman is an it that stinks to please but whether to please itself or someone else makes no more difference than if it sells hate condoms education snakeoil vac uumcleaners terror strawberries democ ra(caveat emptor)cy superfluous hair” quote by e. e. cummings
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“a salesman is an it that stinks to please but whether to please itself or someone else makes no more difference than if it sells hate condoms education snakeoil vac uumcleaners terror strawberries democ ra(caveat emptor)cy superfluous hair”

e. e. cummings

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote satirizes salesmanship that pretends to please while actually peddling harmful or useless products, blurring moral lines between self‑interest and exploitation.

In simple terms: Salespeople can sell anything, good or bad, without moral difference.

Key Takeaway

Question motives, not just outcomes.

Themes

commercialism ethics deception

Mood

cynical ironic

Type

satirical critical

When to use this quote

  • marketing meetings
  • political campaigns
  • online ads
  • product launches

Key Concepts

consumerism morality satire

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can a salesperson be truly ethical?
  • How do we differentiate persuasion from manipulation?
A Different Perspective

It ignores the possibility of genuine, ethical persuasion.

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