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About this quote

What does it mean?
Churchill mocks a listener who claims to be in touch with common realities.
In plain terms
He jokes that someone is so close to the ground they hear bugs.
What can you take from it?
Skepticism toward false populist claims.

Where it applies

  • debate
  • campaign rhetoric
  • public speech

Putting it to work

  • question populist claims
  • analyze rhetoric

Questions to consider

  • Who speaks for the people?
  • How do we judge populism?

Another view

Satire can obscure serious points about public engagement.

More from Winston Churchill

  1. He looks like a female llama who has been surprised in the bath

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  2. History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.

    Permalink to quote #131
  3. He is the man who brought pederasty into disrepute.

    Permalink to quote #128

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