--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a nervous society where a man’s image…" description: "\"“In a nervous society where a man’s image is frequently more important than his reality, the only people who can afford to advertise their drug menus a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/hunter-s-thompson-278_quote_in-a-nervous-society-where-a-man-s-image_1371354.jpg" --- # In a nervous society where a man’s image is frequently… ![“In a nervous society where a man’s image is frequently more important than his reality, the only people who can afford to advertise their drug menus are those with nothing to lose.” quote by Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/hunter-s-thompson-278_quote_in-a-nervous-society-where-a-man-s-image_1371354.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/hunter-s-thompson-278_quote_in-a-nervous-society-where-a-man-s-image_1371354.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/hunter-s-thompson-278_quote_in-a-nervous-society-where-a-man-s-image_1371354.jpg) > ““In a nervous society where a man’s image is frequently more important than his reality, the only people who can afford to advertise their drug menus are those with nothing to lose.”” [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In a superficial society, only those with nothing to lose can openly expose their vices. **In simple terms:** Only the desperate reveal their flaws. Key Takeaway Beware of superficial judgments. Themes society image vulnerability Mood cynical critical Type philosophical satirical When to use this quote - political activism - media scrutiny Key Concepts authenticity risk social critique Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to hide or reveal? - How does image affect truth? A Different Perspective May overgeneralize; not all reveal vices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The idea of how others see you becomes more important than the reality of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/the-idea-of-how-others-see-you-becomes-more-important-than-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/perception-is-more-important-than-reality-if-someone-perceives-2/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/perception-is-more-important-than-reality-if-someone-perceives/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [What is more important, the reality or the perception? I am perceived to be an important designer. It's enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oleg-cassini/what-is-more-important-the-reality-or-the-perception-i-am-perceived/) [Oleg Cassini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oleg-cassini/) > [For us, the playground of fiction is just as important as reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryohgo-narita/for-us-the-playground-of-fiction-is-just-as-important-as-reality/) [Ryohgo Narita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryohgo-narita/) > [“How you react to reality is more important than the reality to which you react.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-r-hobbs/how-you-react-to-reality-is-more-important-than-the-reality-to-which/) W.R. Hobbs > [“Thinking something is true doesn’t make it so. Perception is almost as important as reality. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joelle-charbonneau/thinking-something-is-true-doesn-t-make-it-so-perception-is-almost-as/) [Joelle Charbonneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joelle-charbonneau/) > [“In Washington...the appearance of power is therefore almost as important as the reality of it. In fact, the appearance is frequently its essential reality”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-kissinger/in-washington-the-appearance-of-power-is-therefore-almost-as/) [Henry Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-kissinger/) > [This is the most religious country in the world and sometimes we try to stifle that fact or hide it. But the profound and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/this-is-the-most-religious-country-in-the-world-and-sometimes-we-try/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [... Sometimes, we try to stifle that fact or hide it, ... But the profound, and ultimately most important, reality is that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/sometimes-we-try-to-stifle-that-fact-or-hide-it-but-the-profound-and/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [“In a market, preceptions could be as important as reality. p.403”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-eichenwald/in-a-market-preceptions-could-be-as-important-as-reality-p-403/) [Kurt Eichenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-eichenwald/) > [Socially we are woven into the fabric of society, where every man is like one thread in a piece of cloth. No single thread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/socially-we-are-woven-into-the-fabric-of-society-where-every-man-is/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [How different a creature is man in society and man in solitude!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/how-different-a-creature-is-man-in-society-and-man-in-solitude/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [All men plume themselves on the improvement of society, and no man improves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/all-men-plume-themselves-on-the-improvement-of-society-and-no-man/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [You'll get everything society can give a man. You'll keep all the money. You'll take any fame or honor anyone might want to grant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/you-ll-get-everything-society-can-give-a-man-you-ll-keep-all-the/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) ## More by Hunter S. Thompson > [“There was also the fact that sending a penniless writer to get $135 worth of beer was — as Khrushchev said of Nixon —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-was-also-the-fact-that-sending-a-penniless-writer-to-get-135/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“Cases of champagne and scotch lay broken in the street, and everyone I saw had a bottle. They were screaming and dancing, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/cases-of-champagne-and-scotch-lay-broken-in-the-street-and-everyone-i/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No music + Bad TV = Bad mood & no pages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-music-bad-tv-bad-mood-no-pages/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No one holds command over me. No man. No god. No Prince. What is a claim of age for ones who are immortal? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-one-holds-command-over-me-no-man-no-god-no-prince-what-is-a-claim/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb grey hairs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-person-who-doesn-t-scatter-the-morning-dew-will-not-comb-grey/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Hope rises and dreams flicker and die. Love plans for tomorrow and loneliness thinks of yesterday. Life is beautiful and living is pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/hope-rises-and-dreams-flicker-and-die-love-plans-for-tomorrow-and/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [If we get chased out of Iraq with our tail between our legs, that will be the fifth consecutive Third-world country with no hint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/if-we-get-chased-out-of-iraq-with-our-tail-between-our-legs-that-will/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [At age 22 I set what I insist is an all-time record for distance hitchhiking in Bermuda shorts: 3,700 miles in three weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/at-age-22-i-set-what-i-insist-is-an-all-time-record-for-distance/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Paranoia is just another mask for ignorance. The truth, when you finally chase it down is almost always far worse than your darkest visions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/paranoia-is-just-another-mask-for-ignorance-the-truth-when-you/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“No doubt they all Got What Was Coming To Them. All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-doubt-they-all-got-what-was-coming-to-them-all-those-pathetically/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“For several months they'd been drifting toward political involvement, but the picture was hazy and one of the most confusing elements was their geographical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/for-several-months-they-d-been-drifting-toward-political-involvement/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [He wandered into the Newsroom and asked for a job the same way he’d walk into a barbershop and ask for a haircut, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/he-wandered-into-the-newsroom-and-asked-for-a-job-the-same-way-he-d/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There's no point in getting into politics at all unless you plan to lash things around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-no-point-in-getting-into-politics-at-all-unless-you-plan-to/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There’s a lot of things wrong with this country, but one of the few things still right with it is that a man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-a-lot-of-things-wrong-with-this-country-but-one-of-the-few/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) [Explore all 765 Hunter S. Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More Important Reality quotes > [“In a market, preceptions could be as important as reality. p.403”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-eichenwald/in-a-market-preceptions-could-be-as-important-as-reality-p-403/) [Kurt Eichenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-eichenwald/) > [... Sometimes, we try to stifle that fact or hide it, ... But the profound, and ultimately most important, reality is that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/sometimes-we-try-to-stifle-that-fact-or-hide-it-but-the-profound-and/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [This is the most religious country in the world and sometimes we try to stifle that fact or hide it. But the profound and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/this-is-the-most-religious-country-in-the-world-and-sometimes-we-try/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [“In Washington...the appearance of power is therefore almost as important as the reality of it. In fact, the appearance is frequently its essential reality”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-kissinger/in-washington-the-appearance-of-power-is-therefore-almost-as/) [Henry Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-kissinger/) > [“Thinking something is true doesn’t make it so. Perception is almost as important as reality. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joelle-charbonneau/thinking-something-is-true-doesn-t-make-it-so-perception-is-almost-as/) [Joelle Charbonneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joelle-charbonneau/) > [“How you react to reality is more important than the reality to which you react.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-r-hobbs/how-you-react-to-reality-is-more-important-than-the-reality-to-which/) W.R. Hobbs > [For us, the playground of fiction is just as important as reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryohgo-narita/for-us-the-playground-of-fiction-is-just-as-important-as-reality/) [Ryohgo Narita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryohgo-narita/) > [What is more important, the reality or the perception? I am perceived to be an important designer. It's enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oleg-cassini/what-is-more-important-the-reality-or-the-perception-i-am-perceived/) [Oleg Cassini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oleg-cassini/) > [“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/perception-is-more-important-than-reality-if-someone-perceives/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/perception-is-more-important-than-reality-if-someone-perceives-2/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [The idea of how others see you becomes more important than the reality of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/the-idea-of-how-others-see-you-becomes-more-important-than-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) Browse all 12 Important Reality quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In a nervous society where a man’s image is frequently more important than his reality, the only people who can afford to advertise their drug menus are those with nothing to lose.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hunter S. 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