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About this quote

What does it mean?
Southey satirizes how evil delights in violent news.
In plain terms
Evil prefers bloodier news.
What can you take from it?
Distrust sensational reports.

Where it applies

  • media
  • journalism
  • critique

Putting it to work

  • question headlines
  • check sensationalism
  • critique media

Questions to consider

  • Is news often sensational?
  • Who benefits from blood?

Another view

Not all news is biased.

More from Robert Southey

  1. At this good news, so great The Devil's pleasure grew, That, with a joyful swish, he rent The hole where his tail came through.

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. Curses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost.

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. Thou hast confessions to listen, And bells to christen, And altars and dolls to dress; And fools to coax, And sinners to hoax, And beads and bones to bless; An…

    Permalink to quote #27

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