We rarely quote nowadays to appeal to authority... though…
“We rarely quote nowadays to appeal to authority... though we quote sometimes to display our sapience and erudition. Some authors we quote against. Some we quote not at all, offering them our scrupulous avoidance, and so make them part of our "white mythology." Other authors we constantly invoke, chanting their names in cerebral rituals of propitiation or ancestor worship.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Quoting serves both to align with and to distance from intellectual traditions.
In simple terms: Quoting shows agreement or dissent.
Key Takeaway
Use citations to clarify stance.
Themes
scholarship
authority
citation
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
academic
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- debates
- public speaking
Key Concepts
literary theory
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- When does quoting become intellectual dependency?
- How can you balance reverence and critique?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on quotes can stifle original thought.