Society is infested by persons who, seeing that the…
“Society is infested by persons who, seeing that the sentiments please, counterfeit the expression of them. These we call sentimentalists - talkers who mistake the description for the thing, saying for having.”
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 mimic feelings they think are popular, confusing imitation with genuine emotion.
In simple terms: People copy feelings, not truth.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic expression, not imitation.
Themes
authenticity
expression
sentiment
critique
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- public speaking
- art criticism
- media consumption
Key Concepts
philosophy
social observation
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value feeling over truth?
- How does imitation affect trust?
A Different Perspective
Mimicry can be socially rewarded, making authenticity hard to maintain.