Degrees Quote by James Russell Lowell
“Men's thoughts and opinions are in a great degree vassals of him who invents a new phrase or re-applies an old epithet. The thought or feeling a thousand times repeated becomes his at last who utters it best.”
About This Quote
Language shapes thought; repeated slogans or epithets can dominate public opinion, making the speaker who popularizes them appear as the originator of those ideas.
In simple terms: Repeated phrases hijack thinking, crediting the repeaters.
Key Takeaway
Words, when repeated, become powerful influencers.
Themes
language
politics
media influence
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
cultural
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- advertising
- social media trends
Key Concepts
memetic persuasion
cognitive framing
Practical Applications
- Use precise terminology
- Challenge repeated buzzwords
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we differentiate genuine ideas from catchy phrasing?
- When does repetition become manipulation?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on phrasing can ignore underlying substance.
![“[B]ut in literature, it should be remembered, a thing always becomes his at last who says it best, and thus makes it his own.” quote by James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4fa/james-russell-lowell-561_books_b-ut-in-literature-it-should-be-remember_55085.jpg)
![“[Photography is ] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that could be happening, to some degree, with photography, too. It doesn't cost as much to do it, either.” quote by Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2eb/garry-winogrand-2342_cost_photography-is-likewise-even-french-impr_2802.jpg)
![“What are you for? It may be, to a degree, consoling that white brothers and sisters did not vote for [Donald] Trump, and do not participate in that brand of animus, that gas-bagging of enormous bigotry.” quote by Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/01d/michael-eric-dyson-1424_animus_what-are-you-for-it-may-be-to-a-degree-c_14940.jpg)
