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The bigger the humbug, the better people will like it.
P. T. Barnum
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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.

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No man ever went broke overestimating the ignorance of the American public.
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I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.
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