There are people who believe everything is sane and…
“There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face. ... It is no great art to say something briefly when, like Tacitus, one has something to say; when one has nothing to say, however, and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth ... into a liar - that I call an achievement.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often feign seriousness, writing long works without substance, confusing verbosity with truth.
In simple terms: Empty words masquerade as wisdom.
Key Takeaway
Value depth over length.
Themes
pretension
truth
communication
literature
Mood
skeptical
ironic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- political speeches
- media commentary
- social media posts
Key Concepts
Satire
philosophy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we discern substance from style?
- When does verbosity become deception?
A Different Perspective
Length does not guarantee insight; brevity can be powerful.