Hackneyed Quote by Sinclair Lewis
““The men leaned back on their heels, put their hands in their trousers-pockets, and proclaimed their views with the booming profundity of a prosperous male repeating a thoroughly hackneyed statement about a matter of which he knows nothing whatever.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Main Street by Sinclair Lewis, 1920
A man speaks loudly about a topic he doesn’t understand, using confident but empty rhetoric.
In simple terms: Empty confidence in ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Beware speaking without knowledge.
Themes
pretentiousness
ignorance
confidence
Mood
ironic
critical
satirical
Type
observational
commentary
When to use this quote
- political debates
- workplace meetings
- social media commentary
- public speaking
Key Concepts
social critique
communication
hubris
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever speak on topics you haven’t studied?
- How does confidence affect perceived authority?
A Different Perspective
The speaker may actually know something but chooses to feign ignorance for effect.
