Buddhism Quote by William Doyle
““...those who succeeded the Voltaires, the d'Alemberts, & the Diderots at the head of the movement when these giants died, & who inherited their social acclaim, had little new to say...These swarming hacks hoped, like the great heroes of the Enlightenment before them, to write their way to fame & fortune. They found fame & fortune already monopolized by second-rate socialites who did not even put pen to paper most of the time, & yet who had the power & prestige to censor & condemn their works out of hand.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Critique of post‑Enlightenment writers, 19th century
Later thinkers failed to innovate, merely chasing fame amid a monopolized cultural elite that censored dissent.
In simple terms: Later writers lacked originality, chased fame, faced censorship.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic, original expression.
Themes
literature
censorship
fame
elitism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- academic discourse
- artistic communities
- media platforms
Key Concepts
intellectual stagnation
social power dynamics
creative authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- Who truly shaped post‑Enlightenment thought?
- How does power affect artistic freedom?
A Different Perspective
The critique may generalize and ignore genuine contributions of the era.
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