The Republicans stroke platitudes until they purr like epigrams.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Criticizes political rhetoric for recycling empty phrases that sound clever but lack substance.
- In plain terms
- Politicians repeat empty words until they sound like wise sayings.
- What can you take from it?
- Ignore slogans that sound good but mean nothing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you spot empty rhetoric?
- When is a platitude useful?
Another view
Simplification can sometimes make complex ideas accessible.
More from Adlai Stevenson
Nixon is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump for a speech on conservation.
Permalink to quote #73 An editor is someone who separates the wheat from the chaff and then prints the chaff.
Permalink to quote #75 A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth.
Permalink to quote #72
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