Bad language Quote by Colum McCann
““There would always be an expletive in a New York sentence. Even from a judge. Soderberg was not fond of bad language, but he knew its value at the right time. A man on a tightrope, a hundred and ten stories in the air, can you possibly fucking believe it?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Drowning Sea” by Colum McCann, 2015
Highlights the power of profanity to convey intensity and truth when used sparingly.
In simple terms: Swearing can add impact if timed well.
Key Takeaway
Use strong language purposefully.
Themes
language
intensity
truth
timing
Mood
provocative
critical
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing
- street art
- legal arguments
Key Concepts
rhetoric
expressiveness
cultural norms
Questions to Reflect On
- When is profanity appropriate?
- What alternatives convey similar force?
A Different Perspective
Overuse can alienate audience.
![“My rhymes are gonna kill, so I suggest you write your will and leave your [expletive] to me.” quote by Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/786/lin-manuel-miranda-2352_expletives_my-rhymes-are-gonna-kill-so-i-suggest-yo_3105709.jpg)
![“Seriously, just buy the [expletive deleted] book. I promise you'll like it. Unless you're [expletive deleted].” quote by Kelly Sue DeConnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6e5/kelly-sue-deconnick-23585_book_seriously-just-buy-the-expletive-deleted_3056739.jpg)
![“When he was very excited, [John Singer] Sargent would rush at his canvas with his brush poised for attack, yelling, 'Demons, demons, demons!' When he was particularly angry or frustrated, he expressed these feelings with 'Damn,' the only curse he allowed himself. He once had the expletive…” quote by Deborah Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/351/deborah-davis-66875_angry_when-he-was-very-excited-john-singer-sar_1957652.jpg)
![“I don't think we're supposed to say [expletive deleted] anymore.” quote by Kelly Sue DeConnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e0a/kelly-sue-deconnick-23585_expletives_i-don-t-think-we-re-supposed-to-say-expl_1317827.jpg)
![“Conversation is a traffick; and if you enter into it, without some stock of knowledge, to ballance the account perpetually betwixtyou,--the trade drops at once: and this is the reasonwhy travellers have so little [good] conversation with natives,--owing to their [the natives'] suspicionthat there…” quote by Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/40f/laurence-sterne-1405_accounts_conversation-is-a-traffick-and-if-you-en_280475.jpg)
