[The clerk] held in front of him a scroll with a red wax…
![“[The clerk] held in front of him a scroll with a red wax seal affixed, the kind of thing believed to make a document official - or at least expensive and difficult to understand, which, in fact, amounts to the same thing.” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/58c/terry-pratchett-19_documentation_the-clerk-held-in-front-of-him-a-scroll_1618095.jpg)
““[The clerk] held in front of him a scroll with a red wax seal affixed, the kind of thing believed to make a document official - or at least expensive and difficult to understand, which, in fact, amounts to the same thing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Satirizes bureaucratic red‑tape that makes simple matters seem complex and costly
In simple terms: Official seals can mask unnecessary complexity
Key Takeaway
Question the purpose behind overly formal procedures
Themes
bureaucracy
complexity
satire
Mood
wry
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- government paperwork
- legal contracts
- corporate policies
- academic citations
Key Concepts
administrative law
social critique
language theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When does formality add value versus hinder clarity?
- How can you simplify processes without losing essential safeguards?
A Different Perspective
It may assume all complexity is intentional, ignoring genuine necessity