Association Quote by Henry Watson Fowler
“Quotation... A writer expresses himself in words that have been used before because they give his meaning better than he can give it himself, or because they are beautiful or witty, or because he expects them to touch a cord of association in his reader, or because he wishes to show that he is learned and well read. Quotations due to the last motive are invariably ill-advised; the discerning reader detects it and is contemptuous; the undiscerning is perhaps impressed, but even then is at the same time repelled, pretentious quotations being the surest road to tedium.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The King's English by H. W. Fowler, 1906
Writers reuse known phrases to convey meaning more effectively, to sound beautiful, or to impress, but overuse for showiness leads to pretension and reader contempt.
In simple terms: Using familiar quotes can help or, but overusing them to look learned feels pretentious.
Key Takeaway
Avoid unnecessary quotations; be original.
Themes
writing
communication
pretension
literature
reader perception
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic essays
- creative writing
- public speaking
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
intertextuality
authenticity
tone
reception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you use quotes to clarify or to impress?
- How does overuse affect credibility?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on quotations may mask weak original thought.
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