Applause Quote by Benjamin Stillingfleet
“A story should, to please, at least seem true, Be apropos, well told, concise, and new: And whenso'er it deviates from these rules, The wise will sleep, and leave applause to fools.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Storytelling, 1760s
A good story must feel true, appropriate, well crafted, concise, and original; otherwise, only foolish audiences applaud while the wise ignore it.
In simple terms: Stories need truth, relevance, skill, brevity, and novelty.
Key Takeaway
Focus on authenticity and craft.
Themes
storytelling
authenticity
craft
originality
audience judgment
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
advice
literary criticism
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- novel drafting
- public speaking
- media production
Key Concepts
literary criticism
narrative theory
aesthetic standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance originality with audience expectations?
- When should you prioritize brevity over detail?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑crafted stories may be dismissed if they lack relevance to the audience.
![“All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was [Offers bored applause.] After the show aired? I came out - "Rob Lowe!" - and the place was, like, bedlam. And then the next week, they wouldn't let anyone under the age of 20 into the audience. And I'm going, "So that's…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66b/rob-lowe-855_age_all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d_31307.jpg)
