--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Except for those who think in terms of…" description: "\"Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or dogma or narrow prejudice (and those thoughts we aren't interested in), people don't speak t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg" --- # Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or… ![“Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or dogma or narrow prejudice (and those thoughts we aren't interested in), people don't speak their beliefs easily, or publicly.” quote by Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg) > “Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or dogma or narrow prejudice (and those thoughts we aren't interested in), people don't speak their beliefs easily, or publicly.” [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People rarely voice personal beliefs openly unless they avoid simplistic or dogmatic thinking, preferring privacy over public declaration. **In simple terms:** People hide true beliefs unless they are simple. Key Takeaway Speak honestly, even if uncomfortable. Themes communication honesty beliefs Mood cautious reflective Type observational critical When to use this quote - political debate - personal relationships - media interviews - academic panels Key Concepts social conformity psychology public discourse Questions to Reflect On - Why do you stay silent about your convictions? - How does simplifying a belief affect its truth? A Different Perspective Fear of judgment can silence genuine expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Dogma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogma/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Platitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/platitudes/) [Prejudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudice/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Without a rigorous, self-critical discourse, one risks lapsing into pious platitudes and unexamined generalizations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/without-a-rigorous-self-critical-discourse-one-risks-lapsing-into/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“It takes courage to speak up for your beliefs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/it-takes-courage-to-speak-up-for-your-beliefs/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [Most corporate mission statements are worthless. They consist largely of pious platitudes such as: "We will hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-l-ackoff/most-corporate-mission-statements-are-worthless-they-consist-largely/) [Russell L. Ackoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-l-ackoff/) > [One must search diligently to find laudatory comments on education (other than those pious platitudes which are fodder for commencement speeches). It appears that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/one-must-search-diligently-to-find-laudatory-comments-on-education/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [There is no greater mistake than to suppose that platitudes, smooth words, and timid policies offer a path to safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-is-no-greater-mistake-than-to-suppose-that-platitudes-smooth/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The Chautauqua Institution is truly a national treasure. It is a place for contemplation and a place for reflection, a place where platitudes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-spitzer/the-chautauqua-institution-is-truly-a-national-treasure-it-is-a-place/) [Eliot Spitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliot-spitzer/) > [When Catholicism goes bad it becomes the world-old, world-wide religio of amulets and holy places and priestcraft. Protestantism,in its corresponding decay, becomes a vague…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/when-catholicism-goes-bad-it-becomes-the-world-old-world-wide-religio/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [My platitudes don't hold their interest and I can hardly blame them for that. My real stories are all out of date. So what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gruen/my-platitudes-don-t-hold-their-interest-and-i-can-hardly-blame-them/) [Sara Gruen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gruen/) > [The idea of Macbeth as a conscience-torm ented man is a platitude as false as Macbeth himself. Macbeth has no conscience. His main concern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/the-idea-of-macbeth-as-a-conscience-torm-ented-man-is-a-platitude-as/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [“The writer does not dare dream of giving the best of his individuality. No, he must never express his anger. The vacillating demands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandar-hemon/the-writer-does-not-dare-dream-of-giving-the-best-of-his/) [Aleksandar Hemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandar-hemon/) > [Truth is rhythmical: if it implies stasis, it is platitude. Truth is syncopated: if it supplies all the terms, there is one term too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-grudin/truth-is-rhythmical-if-it-implies-stasis-it-is-platitude-truth-is/) [Robert Grudin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-grudin/) > [Those who misrepresent the normal experiences of life, who decry being controversial, who shun risk, are the enemies of the American way of life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wriston/those-who-misrepresent-the-normal-experiences-of-life-who-decry-being/) [Henry Wriston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wriston/) > [Everyone suffers; life is pain; and death is the final punctuation at the end of that sentence, so deal with it. I really think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sufjan-stevens/everyone-suffers-life-is-pain-and-death-is-the-final-punctuation-at/) [Sufjan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sufjan-stevens/) > [Christie led the way - with a bulldozer. The governor is blunt, brash, and self-consciously authentic, the antithesis to what turns off today's voters:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-fournier/christie-led-the-way-with-a-bulldozer-the-governor-is-blunt-brash-and/) [Ron Fournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-fournier/) > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) ## More by Edward R. Murrow > [Tuberculosis, starvation, fatigue, and there are many who have no desire to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/tuberculosis-starvation-fatigue-and-there-are-many-who-have-no-desire/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [A thing of orchestrated hell-a terrible symphony of light and flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/a-thing-of-orchestrated-hell-a-terrible-symphony-of-light-and-flame/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [“A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/a-great-many-people-think-they-are-thinking-when-they-are-really/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [American traditions and the American ethic require us to be truthful, but the most important reason is that truth is the best propaganda and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/american-traditions-and-the-american-ethic-require-us-to-be-truthful/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We are in the same tent as the clowns and the freaks-that's show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-are-in-the-same-tent-as-the-clowns-and-the-freaks-that-s-show/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [When the politicians complain that TV turns the proceedings into a circus, it should be made clear that the circus was already there, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/when-the-politicians-complain-that-tv-turns-the-proceedings-into-a/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/most-truths-are-so-naked-that-people-feel-sorry-for-them-and-cover/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-will-not-be-driven-by-fear-into-an-age-of-unreason-if-we-dig-deep/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Senator McCarthy's reckless and unfounded attempt to impugn my loyalty is just one more example of his typical tactic of attempting to tie up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/senator-mccarthy-s-reckless-and-unfounded-attempt-to-impugn-my/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/our-major-obligation-is-not-to-mistake-slogans-for-solutions/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-must-not-confuse-dissent-with-disloyalty/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-have-currently-a-built-in-allergy-to-unpleasant-or-disturbing/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Don't be deluded into believing that the titular heads of the networks control what appears on their networks. They all have better taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/don-t-be-deluded-into-believing-that-the-titular-heads-of-the/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Our history will be what we make of it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge and retribution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/our-history-will-be-what-we-make-of-it-if-we-go-on-as-we-are-then/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [I have said, and I believe, that potentially we have in this country a free enterprise system of radio and television which is superior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/i-have-said-and-i-believe-that-potentially-we-have-in-this-country-a/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) [Explore all 92 Edward R. Murrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or dogma or narrow prejudice (and those thoughts we aren't interested in), people don't speak their beliefs easily, or publicly.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward R. Murrow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-pious-platitudes-or-dogma-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belief" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-pious-platitudes-or-dogma-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fd/edward-r-murrow-7369_belief_except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-p_2385301.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or dogma or narrow prejudice (and those thoughts we…” — Edward R. Murrow", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward R. Murrow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Except for those who think in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-pious-platitudes-or-dogma-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/except-for-those-who-think-in-terms-of-pious-platitudes-or-dogma-or/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```