Condom Quote by e. e. cummings
“a salesman is an it that stinks to please but whether to please itself or someone else makes no more difference than if it sells hate condoms education snakeoil vac uumcleaners terror strawberries democ ra(caveat emptor)cy superfluous hair”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "anyone lived in a pretty how town", e. e. cummings, 1940
The quote satirizes salesmanship that pretends to please while actually peddling harmful or useless products, blurring moral lines between self‑interest and exploitation.
In simple terms: Salespeople can sell anything, good or bad, without moral difference.
Key Takeaway
Question motives, not just outcomes.
Themes
commercialism
ethics
deception
Mood
cynical
ironic
Type
satirical
critical
When to use this quote
- marketing meetings
- political campaigns
- online ads
- product launches
Key Concepts
consumerism
morality
satire
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a salesperson be truly ethical?
- How do we differentiate persuasion from manipulation?
A Different Perspective
It ignores the possibility of genuine, ethical persuasion.
