Damn the great executives, the men of measured merriment, damn the men with careful smiles oh, damn their measured merriment.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes the superficial joy and measured happiness portrayed by executives, suggesting a disdain for inauthenticity.
Sinclair Lewis's quote expresses a strong disapproval of the disingenuous attitudes often exhibited by powerful figures in society, particularly executives, who present themselves with calculated joy and satisfaction while lacking genuine emotion. It calls into question the authenticity of their happiness and implies that such measured merriment is a facade, indicating a deeper critique of societal norms that value appearance over sincerity.
In practice
This quote can be used in a presentation on corporate culture and the importance of genuine leadership.
Upon this theology he rarely pondered. The kernel of his practical religion was that it was respectable, and beneficial to one's business, to be seen going to services; that the church kept the Worst Elements from being still worse; and that the pastor's sermons, however dull they might seem at the time of taking, yet had a voodooistic power which 'did a fellow good-- kept him in touch with Higher Things.
Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.
Writers kid themselves-about themselves and other people. Take the talk about writing methods. Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type with your toes-it is just work.
She did her work with the thoroughness of a mind which reveres details and never quite understands them.
Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type or write with your toes-it's still just work.
It is, I think, an error to believe that there is any need of religion to make life seem worth living.
The world is his who has money to go over it.
Cynicism and naivety lie cheek by jowl in the American imagination; if the United States is one of the most venal nations on Earth, it is also one of the most earnestly idealistic.
Through our scientific and technological genius we've made of this world a neighborhood. And now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers-or we will all perish together as fools.
I believe the returns on investment in the poor are just as exciting as successes achieved in the business arena, and they are even more meaningful!
We ask only that the law shall work alike on all men.
Idleness is the parent of psychology.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.