Nonsense Quote by Robertson Davies
“There is no nonsense so gross that society will not, at some time, make a doctrine of it and defend it with every weapon of communal stupidity.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Moral of the Story, Robertson Davies, 1975
Society often elevates absurd ideas into doctrines, defending them with collective irrationality, showing how groupthink can legitimize nonsense.
In simple terms: Groups can turn nonsense into accepted belief.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek evidence.
Themes
critical thinking
societal pressure
irrationality
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media consumption
- education reform
- public policy
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
social conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people cling to absurd beliefs?
- What mechanisms can expose collective stupidity?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched doctrines is difficult and may face resistance.
![“It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a86/christopher-hitchens-117_beautiful_it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense_10462.jpg)
