First time Quote by Pete Hamill
““Cormac heard that glorious word for the first time in the1850s, and it came to epitomize for him all of New York's rough skepticism. It had much greater weight than the word 'horseshit.' Horseshit was flaky and without substance; it dried in the sun and was blown away in a high wind. Preachers were the master of horseshit. But bullshit was heavier, filled with crude truth, a kind of black cement. The voters knew the difference and they appreciated bullshit when practiced by a master. Any politician who used God in a speech was practicing horseshit. When he talked about building schools, getting water into Chatham Square, or lighting the darkest streets, Bill Tweed was practicing bullshit. If a third of the bullshit actually came into existence, their lives were made better. Tweed, as he moved up in the system, was a master of bullshit.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown, author Pete Hamill
Bullshit is portrayed as a heavy, truth‑laden rhetoric that, when wielded skillfully, can achieve real change, unlike empty platitudes.
In simple terms: Skilled falsehoods can produce tangible results.
Key Takeaway
Use language responsibly and critically.
Themes
politics
truth
language
power
skepticism
Mood
cynical
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Political campaigning
- media analysis
- public discourse
- activism
Key Concepts
Rhetoric
social critique
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When does persuasive language become deception?
- What responsibilities do leaders have for their words?
A Different Perspective
Rhetoric can manipulate truth and erode trust.
