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Of all the classes of men, I dislike the most those who make their livings by talking - actors, clergymen, politicians, pedagogues, and so on. .... It is almost impossible to imagine a talker who sticks to the facts. Carried away by the sound of his own voice and the applause from the groundlings, he makes inevitably the jump from logic to mere rhetoric.
H. L. Mencken
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Mencken expresses disdain for individuals whose professions rely on speech, suggesting they often prioritize rhetoric over truth.

In this quote, H. L. Mencken critiques various professions that depend on verbal communication, such as actors, clergymen, and politicians. He argues that these individuals, driven by the allure of their own voice and external validation, often stray from factual discourse and instead indulge in mere rhetoric, which can lead to manipulative or superficial communication. Mencken's reflection prompts a deeper exploration of how language can be used as a tool for both truth and deception.

Themes

TalkingRhetoricCommunicationTruthProfession

In practice

Example use cases

During a seminar about effective communication, one might use this quote to illustrate the pitfalls of rhetoric over factual discussion.

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