Adelaide Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“We are eager to tunnel under the Atlantic and bring the Old World some weeks nearer to the New; but perchance the first news that will leak through into the broad, flapping American ear will be that the Princess Adelaide has the whooping cough.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Civil Disobedience", 1849
Satirically notes that trivial news may dominate public attention over significant achievements.
In simple terms: Minor news can eclipse major progress.
Key Takeaway
Focus on substantive issues over gossip.
Themes
media
distraction
priorities
Mood
reflective
ironic
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- Journalism
- political discourse
- historical commentary
Key Concepts
Information overload
public attention
Questions to Reflect On
- What topics deserve more public focus?
- How can we filter noise?
A Different Perspective
Media may amplify trivialities despite intent.
![“I learned from Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, the Nicholas Brothers, the whole thing, the whole schmear. [The Cotton Club] was a great place because it hired us, for one thing, at a time when it was really rough [for Black performers].” quote by Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e9f/lena-horne-15555_adelaide_i-learned-from-ethel-waters-duke-ellingt_478684.jpg)
