Character Quote by Lewis Carroll
“PLAIN SUPERFICIALITY is the character of a speech, in which any two points being taken, the speaker is found to lie wholly with regard to those two points.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Quarterly, 1865
A speech that appears superficial hides contradictions between its points, revealing insincerity.
In simple terms: Superficial speech hides contradictions.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hollow rhetoric.
Themes
communication
honesty
critical thinking
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- political debate
- media analysis
Key Concepts
rhetoric
logic
integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you detect hidden contradictions?
- What motives drive superficial speech?
A Different Perspective
Superficiality can be intentional manipulation.
