Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims nothing is lower than humanity except the French people.
In plain terms
He says the French are even worse than the human race.
What can you take from it?
Be wary of sweeping, hateful stereotypes.

Where it applies

  • political satire
  • cultural criticism

Putting it to work

  • challenge xenophobic remarks
  • promote nuanced views

Questions to consider

  • Why do such stereotypes persist?
  • How can we counter demeaning jokes?

Another view

It's an offensive generalization that lacks justification.

More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens

  1. There are no dialogues, only intersecting monologues.

    Permalink to quote #189
  2. Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it.

    Permalink to quote #191
  3. There ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.

    Permalink to quote #188

Related quotes

  1. The English can laugh and at the same time strike you down, without the least compunction. It is the secret of their success as a nation.

    Peter AckroydPeter Ackroyd quote #5
  2. [In a French Accent] Look! I'm giving a cigarette to baby. Do it! Suck on this cigarette my darling life is shit. Get to know this. Oh you Americans, 'don't gi…

    Robin WilliamsRobin Williams quote #36
  3. If countries were named after the words you first hear when you go there, England would have to be called Damn It.

    Georg Christoph LichtenbergGeorg Christoph Lichtenberg quote #51