Bribe Quote by Mark Twain
“That is a society editor, sitting there elegantly dressed, with his legs crossed in that indolent way, observing the clothes the ladies wear, so that he can describe them for his paper and make them out finer than they are and get bribes for it and become wealthy.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Gilded Age by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, 1873
A society editor manipulates fashion commentary for profit, using elegance as a façade while exploiting readers and accepting bribes.
In simple terms: A fashion writer pretends to be refined but exploits and takes bribes.
Key Takeaway
Beware of superficial expertise that serves personal gain.
Themes
media criticism
corruption
social satire
elitism
Mood
cynical
ironic
critical
Type
satire
observational
commentary
When to use this quote
- fashion journalism
- advertising
- political lobbying
- media consumption
Key Concepts
journalism
ethics
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media influence shape public taste?
- When does critique become exploitation?
A Different Perspective
The editor’s influence may be limited by audience skepticism and market competition.
![“As a young man he seemed to pine for a bygone world of aristocrats. [In his twenties, he] took to wearing Edwardian three-piece suits with a pocket watch and chain. [discussing Kip Forbes]” quote by Benjamin Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1d1/benjamin-wallace-43022_young-man_as-a-young-man-he-seemed-to-pine-for-a-b_149263.jpg)
