--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Clichés are static, the emotion behind…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/811/amy-tan-730_air_clich-s-are-static-the-emotion-behind-th_329407.jpg" --- # Clichés are static, the emotion behind them long spent. If… ![“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…” quote by Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/811/amy-tan-730_air_clich-s-are-static-the-emotion-behind-th_329407.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/811/amy-tan-730_air_clich-s-are-static-the-emotion-behind-th_329407.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/811/amy-tan-730_air_clich-s-are-static-the-emotion-behind-th_329407.jpg) > “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.” [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/air/) [Beans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beans/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blow/) [Cliche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cliche/) [Cliché Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clich-good-3085947/) [Clichés Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clich-s-static-3085945/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Fangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fangs/) [Fart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fart/) [Hot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot/) [Hot air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot-air/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Loud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loud/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Quotation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quotation/) [Quotation Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quotation-use-3085946/) [Quotations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quotations/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent/) [Smelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smelly/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/static/) [Stink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stink/) [Tempted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tempted/) [Translate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/translate/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Use Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-saying-461570/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [I think cliche is a good thing sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-abstract/i-think-cliche-is-a-good-thing-sometimes/) [Kevin Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-abstract/) > [“What’s the use of saying anything, when you’re not even listening?" - excerpt from: freefalling”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlenne-susan-girard/what-s-the-use-of-saying-anything-when-you-re-not-even-listening/) [Darlenne Susan Girard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlenne-susan-girard/) > [There is no use saying you chose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/there-is-no-use-saying-you-chose-to-lie-down-when-it-has-become/) [C. 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