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.
Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor-that is the only way out of a "hole." This process of surrender-this movement full speed astern-is repentance.
What if someone gave a war and Nobody came?
If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.
The secret of image - worship is that you are trying to develop your vision of Divinity in one thing.
These virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions ... The good of man is a working of the soul in the way of excellence in a complete life.
If the last to know heβs an addict is the addict, then maybe the last to know when a man means what he says is the man himself, he reflected.
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