Few things in life are more embarrassing than the necessity of having to inform an old friend that you have just got engaged to his fiancee.
W. C. FieldsRead
If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that if you cannot impress others with intelligence, you can confuse them instead.
W. C. Fields humorously implies that in situations where one lacks substance or brilliance, resorting to confusion or deception can be an alternative strategy to gain attention or control a conversation. It reflects a witty perspective on how people sometimes prefer to distract from lack of knowledge or insight with overwhelming talk.
Themes
BrillianceBaffleHumorDeceptionAttention
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a comedy show to highlight the absurdities of trying to impress people.
More from W. C. Fields
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I was married once--in San Francisco. I haven't seen her for many years. The great earthquake and fire in 1906 destroyed the marriage certificate. There's no legal proof. Which proves that earthquakes aren't all bad.
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Christmas at my house is always at least six or seven times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early. And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we'll be seeing six or seven.
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I never vote for anyone. I always vote against.
W. C. FieldsRead
Now don't say you can't swear off drinking; it's easy. I've done it a thousand times.
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