--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Truth is not exciting enough to those who…" description: "\"Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement; and if a story is told of more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png" --- # Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the… ![“Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement; and if a story is told of more than common interest, ennui is sure to have its joy in adding embellishments. If hours did not hang heavy, what would become of scandal?” quote by George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png) > “Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement; and if a story is told of more than common interest, ennui is sure to have its joy in adding embellishments. If hours did not hang heavy, what would become of scandal?” [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Truth lacks excitement for those who rely on neighborly drama; embellishment fills the void, and scandal thrives on boredom. **In simple terms:** Truth is dull; people add drama and scandal for excitement. Key Takeaway Recognize the temptation to sensationalize facts and seek authentic engagement. Themes truth drama ennui scandal storytelling Mood critical reflective Type philosophical media analysis When to use this quote - news reporting - social media - fiction writing - public speaking - entertainment industry Key Concepts media studies psychology culture critique Questions to Reflect On - Why do we crave embellished stories? - How can we appreciate truth without drama? A Different Perspective Sensationalism can distort reality and mislead audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Common Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-interest/) [Ennui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ennui/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Neighbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor/) [Scandal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scandal/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [The true forms of government, therefore, are those in which the one, or the few, or the many, govern with a view to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-true-forms-of-government-therefore-are-those-in-which-the-one-or/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The benefits of science are not only material ones. The truths that science teaches are of common interest the world over. The language of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-compton/the-benefits-of-science-are-not-only-material-ones-the-truths-that/) [Arthur Compton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-compton/) > [The plain truth is that what holds a free state together is neither general will nor a common interest, but simply politics itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-crick/the-plain-truth-is-that-what-holds-a-free-state-together-is-neither/) [Bernard Crick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-crick/) > [Russia has a common interest in confronting radical Islamic terrorism and especially ISIS. And if we have opportunities to work together I think President…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/russia-has-a-common-interest-in-confronting-radical-islamic-terrorism/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [There is a good deal of solemn cant about the common interests of capital and labor. As matters stand, their only common interest is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooks-atkinson/there-is-a-good-deal-of-solemn-cant-about-the-common-interests-of/) [Brooks Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooks-atkinson/) > [I violate no secret when I say that one of the greatest values in Masonry is that it affords an opportunity for men of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/i-violate-no-secret-when-i-say-that-one-of-the-greatest-values-in/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [In the national struggles of the proletarians of the different countries, they point out and bring to the front the common interest of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/in-the-national-struggles-of-the-proletarians-of-the-different/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [When the citizens at large administer the state for the common interest, the government is called by the generic name - a constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/when-the-citizens-at-large-administer-the-state-for-the-common/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Common interest may always be reckoned upon as the surest bond of sympathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/common-interest-may-always-be-reckoned-upon-as-the-surest-bond-of/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Conversation is the fine art of mutual consideration and communication about matters of common interest that basically have some human importance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ordway-tead/conversation-is-the-fine-art-of-mutual-consideration-and/) [Ordway Tead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ordway-tead/) > [Nature seems to have taken a particular care to disseminate her blessings among the different regions of the world, with an eye to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/nature-seems-to-have-taken-a-particular-care-to-disseminate-her/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Youth, beauty, graceful action seldom fail: But common interest always will prevail; And pity never ceases to be shown To him who makes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/youth-beauty-graceful-action-seldom-fail-but-common-interest-always/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Joining a band of brothers together, a group with one common interest or mission, whether as a company, a team, or a motorcycle club,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonny-barger/joining-a-band-of-brothers-together-a-group-with-one-common-interest/) [Sonny Barger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonny-barger/) > [That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it. Every one thinks chiefly of his own, hardly at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/that-which-is-common-to-the-greatest-number-has-the-least-care/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [ A disunited people till the end of time, suspicious and distrustful of each other, \[the Americans\] will be divided and subdivided into little commonwealths...… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-tucker/a-disunited-people-till-the-end-of-time-suspicious-and-distrustful-of/) Josiah Tucker ## More by George Bancroft > [“The disturbances in the country grew not out of anything republican, but out of slavery, which is a part of the system of hereditary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/the-disturbances-in-the-country-grew-not-out-of-anything-republican/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [The measure of progress of civilization is the progress of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/the-measure-of-progress-of-civilization-is-the-progress-of-the-people/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Not in vain has Lincoln lived, for he has helped to make this republic an example of justice, with no caste but the caste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/not-in-vain-has-lincoln-lived-for-he-has-helped-to-make-this-republic/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Ennui is the desire of activity without the fit means of gratifying the desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/ennui-is-the-desire-of-activity-without-the-fit-means-of-gratifying/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [By common consent gray hairs are a crown of glory; the only object of respect that can never excite envy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/by-common-consent-gray-hairs-are-a-crown-of-glory-the-only-object-of/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Style is the gossamer on which the seeds of truth float through the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/style-is-the-gossamer-on-which-the-seeds-of-truth-float-through-the/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Dishonesty is so grasping it would deceive God himself, were it possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/dishonesty-is-so-grasping-it-would-deceive-god-himself-were-it/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [The charities of life are scattered everywhere, enameling the vales of human beings as the flowers paint the meadows. They are not the fruit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/the-charities-of-life-are-scattered-everywhere-enameling-the-vales-of/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Institutions may crumble and governments fall, but it is only that they may renew a better youth, and mount upwards like the eagle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/institutions-may-crumble-and-governments-fall-but-it-is-only-that/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [The prejudices of ignorance are more easily removed than the prejudices of interest; the first are all blindly adopted, the second willfully preferred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/the-prejudices-of-ignorance-are-more-easily-removed-than-the/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Sedition is bred in the lap of luxury and its chosen emissaries are the beggared spendthrift and the impoverished libertine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/sedition-is-bred-in-the-lap-of-luxury-and-its-chosen-emissaries-are/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [In 1688 England contracted to the Netherlands the highest debt that one nation can owe to another. Herself not knowing how to recover her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/in-1688-england-contracted-to-the-netherlands-the-highest-debt-that/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [ It \[Calvinism\] established a religion without a prelate, a government without a king. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/it-calvinism-established-a-religion-without-a-prelate-a-government/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [“Palmerston did nothing that will endure; LINCOLN finished a work which all time cannot overthrow. Palmerston”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/palmerston-did-nothing-that-will-endure-lincoln-finished-a-work-which/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [Where the people possess no authority, their rights obtain no respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/where-the-people-possess-no-authority-their-rights-obtain-no-respect/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) [Explore all 30 George Bancroft quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) ## More Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement; and if a story is told of more than common interest, ennui is sure to have its joy in adding embellishments. If hours did not hang heavy, what would become of scandal?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George Bancroft" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-who-depend-on-the-characters-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amusement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-who-depend-on-the-characters-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/george-bancroft-20473_amusement_truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-wh_3070030.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all…” — George Bancroft", "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": "George Bancroft", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Truth is not exciting enough to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-who-depend-on-the-characters-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/truth-is-not-exciting-enough-to-those-who-depend-on-the-characters-2/#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 } } ] } ```