Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can't read them either.
Interpretation
The quote humorously critiques modern public figures for their inability to engage with the written word.
Gore Vidal's quote highlights a concerning trend among contemporary public figures who seem detached from the very material they present to the public. He suggests that not only do they rely on others to write their speeches and books, but they may also lack the ability to read and understand these texts, indicating a broader issue of authenticity and engagement in leadership today.
In practice
Using this quote in a discussion about the need for authenticity in politics.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
It is a mistake that there is no bath that will cure people's manners, but drowning would help.
My face looks like a wedding-cake left out in the rain.
Wine makes a man more pleased with himself; I do not say it makes him more pleasing to others.
I can only assume that your editorial writer tripped over the First Amendment and thought it was the office cat.
Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor.
If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that don't get wet you can keep.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.