"It is veneer, rouge, aestheticism, art museums, new theaters, etc. that make America impotent. The good things are football, kindness, and jazz bands"
- George Santayana
About this Quote
George Santayana's quote speaks with the concept that the superficial facets of American culture are what make it impotent. He suggests that the concentrate on veneer, rouge, aestheticism, art galleries, and brand-new cinemas is what is deteriorating the country. He contrasts this with the good things that are actually making America solid, such as football, compassion, and jazz bands. This quote talks with the suggestion that the focus on superficiality is what is compromising the country, while the concentrate on the important things that in fact matter is what is making it solid. Santayana is suggesting that if America wants to remain solid, it needs to focus on things that actually matter, such as football, kindness, and also jazz bands. This quote talks to the idea that the concentrate on superficiality is what is weakening the nation, while the focus on the important things that actually matter is what is making it strong.