Costumes Quote by Neil Gaiman
“And weren't, when you got right down to it, particularly evil. Human beings mostly aren't. They just get carried away by new ideas, like dressing up in jackboots and shooting people, or dressing up in white sheets and lynching people, or dressing up in tie-dye jeans and and playing guitar at people. Offer people a new creed with a costume and their hearts and minds will follow”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Cultural Commentary, 2018
People often follow extremist ideas when packaged with appealing symbols, ignoring moral costs.
In simple terms: Symbols can mask harmful ideas.
Key Takeaway
Question the allure of radical symbols.
Themes
politics
extremism
psychology
culture
identity
Mood
critical
cautious
analytical
Type
political
psychological
When to use this quote
- political rallies
- online forums
- fashion trends
- media consumption
Key Concepts
propaganda
group dynamics
moral reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do symbols attract followers?
- How can critical thinking resist extremist appeal?
A Different Perspective
Not all symbols are harmful; context matters.
![“[T]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19e/neil-gaiman-29_amused_t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every_4551.jpg)
![“Shigure Sohma: [got Tohru a maid costume for White Day] I can't wait to for her to call me master while wearing this. Hatsuharu Sohma: Just don't get arrested, okay?” quote by Natsuki Takaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f2b/natsuki-takaya-2962_call-me_shigure-sohma-got-tohru-a-maid-costume-f_21416.jpg)
