Cliche Quote by Ali Smith
““Deeply exciting, though, cliché was, as a concept. It was truth misted by overexpression, wasn't it, like a structure seen in a fog, something waiting to be re-felt, re-seen. Something dainty fumbled at through thick gloves. Cliché was true, obviously, which was why it had become cliché in the first place; so true that cliché actually protected you from its own truth by being what it was, nothing but cliché.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Accidental, 2015
Clichés become true when overused, yet they protect us by masking deeper truths, creating a paradox of familiarity and concealment.
In simple terms: Clichés hide and reveal truths through overuse.
Key Takeaway
Question the value and limits of familiar ideas.
Themes
literature
culture
language
psychology
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- media criticism
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
semantic saturation
protective mechanisms
paradoxical truth
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a cliché become a useful shortcut?
- How can you transform a cliché into fresh insight?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on clichés can stifle originality.
