Eloquence Quote by Joseph Conrad
““This was the unbounded power of eloquence—of words—of burning noble words. There were no practical hints to interrupt the magic current of phrases, unless a kind of note at the foot of the last page, scrawled evidently much later, in an unsteady hand, may be regarded as the exposition of a method. It was very simple, and at the end of that moving appeal to every altruistic sentiment it blazed at you, luminous and terrifying, like a flash of lightning in a serene sky: "Exterminate all the brutes!””
About This Quote
Source Book: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, 1899
Powerful language can ignite deep emotions and drive decisive, sometimes violent, action.
In simple terms: Words can inspire strong, even extreme, reactions.
Key Takeaway
Use words responsibly, aware of their impact.
Themes
communication
influence
ethics
power
Mood
intense
reflective
Type
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- propaganda
- literary analysis
- activism
- media campaigns
Key Concepts
rhetoric
psychology
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance persuasive speech with moral responsibility?
- What safeguards prevent rhetoric from becoming destructive?
A Different Perspective
Impact can be misused, leading to harmful outcomes.
![“[T]here are, at bottom, basically two ways to order social affairs, Coercively, through the mechanisms of the state - what we can call political society. And voluntarily, through the private interaction of individuals and associations - what we can call civil society. ... In a civil society, you…” quote by Ed Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b8b/ed-crane-39299_affair_t-here-are-at-bottom-basically-two-ways_34431.jpg)
![“It is true that despite occasional gleams of Churchillian eloquence he [Gen. Douglas MacArthur] usually spoke poorly. He was far more effective in conversations a deux. But those who dismiss him as shallow because his rhetoric was fustian err.” quote by William Manchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/996/william-manchester-18393_conversation_it-is-true-that-despite-occasional-gleam_124199.jpg)