Money is in some respects life's fire: it is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.
P. T. BarnumRead
The bigger the humbug, the better people will like it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often prefer extravagant or exaggerated claims, regardless of their truthfulness.
This quote by P. T. Barnum highlights the tendency of society to be drawn to sensationalism and grandiosity. It suggests that the more outrageous or fantastic a claim is, the more likely people are to embrace it, reflecting a deeper commentary on human psychology and the allure of the dramatic and extraordinary in entertainment and information.
Themes
HumbugExaggerationSocietyEntertainmentTruth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about modern advertising techniques that focus on exaggerated claims.
More from P. T. Barnum
All quotes βThe common man, no matter how sharp and tough, actually enjoys having the wool pulled over his eyes, and makes it easier for the puller.
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No man has a right to expect to succeed in life unless he understands his business, and nobody can understand his business thoroughly unless he learns it by personal application and experience.
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True economy consists in always making the income exceed the out-go. Wear the old clothes a little longer if necessary; dispense with the new pair of gloves; mend the old dress: live on plainer food if need be; so that, under all circumstances, unless some unforeseen accident occurs, there will be a margin in favor of the income.
P. T. BarnumRead
No man ever went broke overestimating the ignorance of the American public.
P. T. BarnumRead
I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.
P. T. BarnumRead
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