A sophistical rhetorician, inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity who can at all times command an interminable and inconsistent series of arguments to malign an opponent and glorify himself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A sophist uses endless words to make weak arguments that praise themselves and attack others.
- In plain terms
- Some speakers talk too much to confuse people and make themselves look good.
- What can you take from it?
- Watch out for long speeches that hide weak logic.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you spot a fake argument?
- Is long talk ever useful?
Another view
Sometimes length is needed to explain complex topics.
More from Benjamin Disraeli
A consistent soul believes in destiny, a capricious one in chance.
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Permalink to quote #188 'Diplomacy is the art of telling someone to go to hell and making them anticipate the trip.'
Permalink to quote #185
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