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The thing to do is to go on, in the same suave tone, from…

“The thing to do is to go on, in the same suave tone, from uttering a series of banalities to expressing a new and dangerous thought, without any break. If you succeed in this, the business is done. The reader will not forget - the new words will plague and torment him until he has accepted them.” quote by Lev Shestov
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““The thing to do is to go on, in the same suave tone, from uttering a series of banalities to expressing a new and dangerous thought, without any break. If you succeed in this, the business is done. The reader will not forget - the new words will plague and torment him until he has accepted them.””

Lev Shestov

About This Quote

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

A writer must transition smoothly from trivial remarks to bold, unsettling ideas, keeping the reader engaged until the new concepts are absorbed.

In simple terms: Introduce daring ideas without pause.

Key Takeaway

Persist with bold ideas.

Themes

writing persuasion intellectual risk audience engagement

Mood

provocative intense

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • academic lectures
  • opinion columns
  • creative writing
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

philosophy rhetoric cognitive dissonance

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you prepare an audience for radical ideas?
  • What techniques keep readers attentive during abrupt shifts?
A Different Perspective

Readers may resist or reject challenging ideas if not properly prepared.

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