--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Behind innocence there gathers a clotted…" description: "\"Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of superstition, of twisted and misdirected impulse; clandestine flirtation, fads, and ragtime fill the u..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg" --- # Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of… ![“Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of superstition, of twisted and misdirected impulse; clandestine flirtation, fads, and ragtime fill the unventilated mind.” quote by Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg) > “Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of superstition, of twisted and misdirected impulse; clandestine flirtation, fads, and ragtime fill the unventilated mind.” [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal naiveté breeds superstition and misguided trends that clutter rational thought **In simple terms:** Ignorance fuels irrational trends Key Takeaway Seek critical thinking, question trends Themes ignorance superstition culture Mood skeptical analytical Type critical observational When to use this quote - political discourse - education - media consumption Key Concepts mass media psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you discern useful ideas from fads? - What role does education play in reducing superstition? A Different Perspective Not all trends are harmful; some spark progress ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Clandestine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clandestine/) [Clandestine Flirtation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clandestine-flirtation-4855275/) [Fads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fads/) [Flirtation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flirtation/) [Impulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulse/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [Innocence Gathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence-gathers-4855274/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Mass Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-superstition-4855273/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Ragtime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ragtime/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Superstition Twisted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition-twisted-4855272/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) [Twisted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twisted/) ## Related quotes > [The ones that were relevant while I wrote my book were books like "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, which is based on a historical fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-lalami/the-ones-that-were-relevant-while-i-wrote-my-book-were-books-like/) [Laila Lalami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-lalami/) > [Don t play this piece fast. It is never right to play ragtime fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-joplin/don-t-play-this-piece-fast-it-is-never-right-to-play-ragtime-fast/) [Scott Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-joplin/) > [New Orleans had a great tradition of celebration. Opera, military marching bands, folk music, the blues, different types of church music, ragtime, echoes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/new-orleans-had-a-great-tradition-of-celebration-opera-military/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [It is never right to play ragtime fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-joplin/it-is-never-right-to-play-ragtime-fast/) [Scott Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-joplin/) > [Ragtime was a fanfare for the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-lynes/ragtime-was-a-fanfare-for-the-20th-century/) [Russell Lynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-lynes/) > [One day the 'Maple Leaf' will make me King of Ragtime Composers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-joplin/one-day-the-maple-leaf-will-make-me-king-of-ragtime-composers/) [Scott Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-joplin/) > [Ragtime was my lullaby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoagy-carmichael/ragtime-was-my-lullaby/) [Hoagy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoagy-carmichael/) > [Black musicians rhythmicized the contredanse, creating musical styles which evolved into the habanera (also known as the tango) and, later, ragtime, as well as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-sublette/black-musicians-rhythmicized-the-contredanse-creating-musical-styles/) [Ned Sublette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-sublette/) > [Syncopations are no indication of light or trashy music, and to shy bricks at 'hateful ragtime' no longer passes for musical culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-joplin/syncopations-are-no-indication-of-light-or-trashy-music-and-to-shy/) [Scott Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-joplin/) > [Improvisation was the blood and bone of jazz, and in the classic, New Orleans jazz it was collective improvisation in which each performer, seemingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-lynes/improvisation-was-the-blood-and-bone-of-jazz-and-in-the-classic-new/) [Russell Lynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-lynes/) > [Whenever I sing blues from the '50s or the kind of blues that you might have heard Eric Clapton or Duane Allman emulate, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/whenever-i-sing-blues-from-the-50s-or-the-kind-of-blues-that-you/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [Marching onward, marching onward Marching to that lovely tune Marching onward, marching onward Happy as a bird in June Sliding onward, sliding onward Listen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-joplin/marching-onward-marching-onward-marching-to-that-lovely-tune-marching/) [Scott Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-joplin/) > [What is scurrilously called ragtime is an invention that is here to stay. That is now conceded by all classes of musicians... All publication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-joplin/what-is-scurrilously-called-ragtime-is-an-invention-that-is-here-to/) [Scott Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-joplin/) > ['Kiss Me, Kate' was my 'Ragtime' Tony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/kiss-me-kate-was-my-ragtime-tony/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Ragtime has about the same amount of respect as comics. And in a way they're similar art forms. Ragtime is highly compositional, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-ware/ragtime-has-about-the-same-amount-of-respect-as-comics-and-in-a-way/) [Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-ware/) ## More by Walter Lippmann > [The emancipated woman has to fight something worse than the crusted prejudices of her uncles; she has to fight the bewilderment in her own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-emancipated-woman-has-to-fight-something-worse-than-the-crusted/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Even God has been defended with nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/even-god-has-been-defended-with-nonsense/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is but one bond of peace that is both permanent and enriching: The increasing knowledge of the world in which experiment occurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-but-one-bond-of-peace-that-is-both-permanent-and-enriching/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Where there is no danger of overt action there is rarely any interference with freedom. That is why there has so often been amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/where-there-is-no-danger-of-overt-action-there-is-rarely-any/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-final-test-of-a-leader-is-that-he-leaves-behind-him-in-other-men/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves have become so deeply involved in big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-simple-opposition-between-the-people-and-big-business-has/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society. ... A great society is simply a big and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-free-press-is-not-a-privilege-but-an-organic-necessity-in-a-great/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [“Since position and contact play so big a part in determining what can be seen, heard, read, and experienced, as well as what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/since-position-and-contact-play-so-big-a-part-in-determining-what-can/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [An alliance is like a chain. It is not made stronger by adding weak links to it. A great power like the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/an-alliance-is-like-a-chain-it-is-not-made-stronger-by-adding-weak/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The chief element in the art of statesmanship under modern conditions is the ability to elucidate the confused and clamorous interests which converge upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-chief-element-in-the-art-of-statesmanship-under-modern-conditions/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and a version of history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/at-the-core-of-every-moral-code-there-is-a-picture-of-human-nature-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample which supports or defies its prejudices, and then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-tendency-of-the-casual-mind-is-to-pick-out-or-stumble-upon-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is only one purpose to which a whole society can be directed by a deliberate plan. That purpose is war, and there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-only-one-purpose-to-which-a-whole-society-can-be-directed-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [In a democracy, the opposition is not only tolerated as constitutional, but must be maintained because it is indispensable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/in-a-democracy-the-opposition-is-not-only-tolerated-as-constitutional/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) [Explore all 296 Walter Lippmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## More Behinds quotes > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/) [Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/) > [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) [Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of superstition, of twisted and misdirected impulse; clandestine flirtation, fads, and ragtime fill the unventilated mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Lippmann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted-mass-of-superstition-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behinds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted-mass-of-superstition-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66c/walter-lippmann-1083_behinds_behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted_2204351.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of superstition, of twisted and misdirected impulse…” — Walter Lippmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Walter Lippmann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Behind innocence there gathers a clotted...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted-mass-of-superstition-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/behind-innocence-there-gathers-a-clotted-mass-of-superstition-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```