--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Expression is the dress of thought, and…" description: "\"Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png" --- # Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more… ![“Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png) > “Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thoughts become respectable when expressed modestly; pretentious language is like a clown in royal attire. **In simple terms:** Modest expression is dignified; pomp is foolish. Key Takeaway Speak simply, avoid pretentiousness. Themes humility communication pretension artistry Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - public speaking - writing - teaching Key Concepts rhetoric self‑awareness social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape perception? - When is elaborate language appropriate? A Different Perspective Simple language may lack nuance or depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clown/) [Conceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceit/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regal/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) ## Related quotes > [Expression is the dress of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/expression-is-the-dress-of-thought/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Women never dress without thought.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/women-never-dress-without-thought/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I had been playing beach volleyball all day, painted my nails red, and threw on a green dress. I thought I looked great at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlene-princess-of-monaco/i-had-been-playing-beach-volleyball-all-day-painted-my-nails-red-and/) [Charlene, Princess of Monaco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlene-princess-of-monaco/) > [Language is the close-fitting dress of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-chenevix-trench/language-is-the-close-fitting-dress-of-thought/) [Richard Chenevix Trench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-chenevix-trench/) > [Language is the dress of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/language-is-the-dress-of-thought/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [I'm not sick, Deuce. You don't know your own charm." My charm? I hadn't been aware I had any. It must be the dress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-aguirre/i-m-not-sick-deuce-you-don-t-know-your-own-charm-my-charm-i-hadn-t/) [Ann Aguirre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-aguirre/) > [Language is the dress of thought; every time you talk your mind is on parade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/language-is-the-dress-of-thought-every-time-you-talk-your-mind-is-on/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Style is the dress of thought; a modest dress, Neat, but not gaudy, will true critics please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/style-is-the-dress-of-thought-a-modest-dress-neat-but-not-gaudy-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [New is a word for fools in towns who think Style upon style in dress and thought at last Must get somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/new-is-a-word-for-fools-in-towns-who-think-style-upon-style-in-dress/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [In the heyday of the Oscars, there were electric sparks flying. When Cher went in her fabulous Bob Mackie dress and her Mohawk, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-leon-talley/in-the-heyday-of-the-oscars-there-were-electric-sparks-flying-when/) [Andre Leon Talley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-leon-talley/) > [I have really big features, so a little makeup goes a long way. I would hate to look like a clown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-ratajkowski/i-have-really-big-features-so-a-little-makeup-goes-a-long-way-i-would/) [Emily Ratajkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-ratajkowski/) > [There's a way of doing comedy that feels true to the person doing it, that doesn't feel like clown-work or silly faces and antics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-daly/there-s-a-way-of-doing-comedy-that-feels-true-to-the-person-doing-it/) [Andy Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-daly/) > [“Sweet Jesus, she looks like a clown that just woke up after a gang bang.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-sivec/sweet-jesus-she-looks-like-a-clown-that-just-woke-up-after-a-gang-bang/) [Tara Sivec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-sivec/) > [“I feel like a clown in these oversized clothes. I’m wearing someone else’s T-shirt. Someone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/i-feel-like-a-clown-in-these-oversized-clothes-i-m-wearing-someone/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [Travis: I didn’t know they made permanent makeup. I looked like a clown for a month. Connor: Yeah. They put a curse on me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/travis-i-didn-t-know-they-made-permanent-makeup-i-looked-like-a-clown/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. 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People who hate clowns...and clowns. (Bobby Pendragon)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-j-machale-2/there-are-two-types-of-people-in-this-world-people-who-hate-clowns/) [D. J. MacHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-j-machale-2/) > [I wanted to be a clown when I was a kid, so I love interacting and goofing around with kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stonestreet/i-wanted-to-be-a-clown-when-i-was-a-kid-so-i-love-interacting-and/) [Eric Stonestreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stonestreet/) > [When fighting clowns, always go for the juggler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/when-fighting-clowns-always-go-for-the-juggler/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [He's fat and a clown, Bill, a fat clown for all to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-dunphy/he-s-fat-and-a-clown-bill-a-fat-clown-for-all-to-see/) [Eamon Dunphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-dunphy/) > [You know, I was the class clown in Catholic school, but I never thought I would make a living out of it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-vergara/you-know-i-was-the-class-clown-in-catholic-school-but-i-never-thought/) [Sofia Vergara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-vergara/) > [You see, this heart, won't settle down; just like a child, running, scared, from a clown. Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/you-see-this-heart-won-t-settle-down-just-like-a-child-running-scared/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Circus clown. That's a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/circus-clown-that-s-a-new-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I first started getting into acting, I was doing improv in acting class, and I had done a serious monologue and everyone was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/when-i-first-started-getting-into-acting-i-was-doing-improv-in-acting/) [Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/) > [Writing is for men who can think and feel, not mindless sensation seekers out of nightclubs and bars. But these are bad times. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naguib-mahfouz/writing-is-for-men-who-can-think-and-feel-not-mindless-sensation/) [Naguib Mahfouz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naguib-mahfouz/) > [“If i'm gonna be described as a clown for my actions, I might aswell be a whole circus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bee/if-i-m-gonna-be-described-as-a-clown-for-my-actions-i-might-aswell-be/) [Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bee/) > [I had a dream that a clown named dimples keep leaving the radio on in my room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-that-a-clown-named-dimples-keep-leaving-the-radio-on-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Is that love? It seems like a pale word, too easily tossed about by people who don’t know the meaning of it, who twist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-aguirre/is-that-love-it-seems-like-a-pale-word-too-easily-tossed-about-by/) [Ann Aguirre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-aguirre/) > [I'm an actor, not a clown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wilder/i-m-an-actor-not-a-clown/) [Gene Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wilder/) [Browse all 837 Clown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clown/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-still-appears-more-decent-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clown" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-still-appears-more-decent-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/alexander-pope-235_clown_expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-s_978267.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent as more suitable; A vile conceit in…” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Expression is the dress of thought,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-still-appears-more-decent-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/expression-is-the-dress-of-thought-and-still-appears-more-decent-as/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```