Air Quote by Amy Tan
“Clichés are static, the emotion behind them long spent. If you are tempted to use them, here is a saying of my mother’s: Fang pi bu-cho, cho pi bu-fang. Basically that translates to: "Loud farts don’t stink, and the really smelly ones don’t make a sound." In other words: When you’re full of beans, you just blow a lot of hot air. If you want to have a real impact, be deadly but silent. Oh, also recognize the difference between a bad cliché and a good quotation. My mother’s saying is a good quotation. You should use it often.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Power of Clichés," The New Yorker, 2018
Clichés are empty unless they convey genuine feeling; the most effective words are subtle yet powerful.
In simple terms: Avoid overused phrases; be concise and impactful.
Key Takeaway
Choose silence over noisy emptiness.
Themes
communication
authenticity
impact
Mood
thoughtful
witty
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing workshops
- media training
Key Concepts
subtlety
paradox
cultural wisdom
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a cliché become useful?
- How can quiet strength be heard?
A Different Perspective
Silence can be misread as disengagement.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)