“Base words are uttered only by the base
And can for such at once be understood;
But noble platitudes — ah, there's a case
Where the most careful scrutiny is needed
To tell a voice that's genuinely good
From one that's base but merely has succeeded.”
Base words are uttered (1940), lines 1–5
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W. H. Auden 122
Anglo-American poet 1907–1973Related quotes

Source: The Other Side Of The Coin (2008), Chapter 7, Straight Versus Crooked, p. 223

Source: Fascism: What It Is and How to Fight It (1944), Ch. 1

From Miscellaneous Thoughts, lines 283-290 ; as contained in The Poetical Works of Samuel Butler: A Revised Edition with Memoir and Notes, Volume 2, Samuel Butler, G. Bell & Sons (1893), pp. 275-276

“Reverence for greatness dies out, and is succeeded by base envy of greatness.”
Source: Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871), Ch. III : The Master, p. 67
Context: Reverence for greatness dies out, and is succeeded by base envy of greatness. Every man is in the way of many, either in the path to popularity or wealth. There is a general feeling of satisfaction when a great statesman is displaced, or a general, who has been for his brief hour the popular idol, is unfortunate and sinks from his high estate. It becomes a misfortune, if not a crime, to be above the popular level.
We should naturally suppose that a nation in distress would take counsel with the wisest of its sons. But, on the contrary, great men seem never so scarce as when they are most needed, and small men never so bold to insist on infesting place, as when mediocrity and incapable pretence and sophomoric greenness, and showy and sprightly incompetency are most dangerous.

“We need good government...And that must be based on a truly democratic government.”
Source: July 25, 2014 Will protest or persuasion shape Hong Kong's future? https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/25/world/asia/hong-kong-future/index.html