Famous quote by Samuel Fuller

"We have too many intellectuals who are afraid to use the pistol of common sense"

About this Quote

Samuel Fuller's quote, "We have too many intellectuals who hesitate to use the pistol of common sense", offers a review of certain patterns within intellectual discourse and behavior. To translate this quote, one should unload the metaphorical language Fuller employs.

To start with, Fuller describes "intellectuals", traditionally deemed individuals who engage deeply with ideas, theories, and abstract thinking. Intellectuals are often seen as idea leaders who add to cultural, philosophical, or scientific developments. Nevertheless, Fuller suggests a detach between intellectualism and practical thinking, alluding to a possible deficiency in applying standard logic or simple options-- the "pistol of common sense."

The "handgun of common sense" is a brilliant metaphor. A handgun is a direct and decisive tool; it indicates action, simpleness, and efficiency. By associating sound judgment with a handgun, Fuller recommends that good sense is a potent tool for cutting through overly complicated, theoretical, or impractical concepts. Sound judgment, in this context, entails a grounded, pragmatic method to real-world problems, preferring simplicity over complexity.

Fuller's option of the word "afraid" indicates a perceived hesitancy or reluctance amongst intellectuals to use this common-sense method. There could be several reasons for this viewed fear: intellectual elitism, where simple solutions are dismissed in favor of more complex theories; fear of oversimplification, which might lead to missing subtleties; or a fear of challenging the status quo within scholastic or intellectual circles.

Eventually, Fuller's critique might be translated as urging intellectuals to stabilize their complex, theoretical work with useful, uncomplicated thinking. He implies that by integrating good sense into their collection, intellectuals can bridge the gap between mystical knowledge and daily reality, making their contributions more accessible, actionable, and appropriate to more comprehensive society.

In a more general sense, Fuller's quote may act as a reminder of the value of clear, direct thinking and the guts to use it, specifically in domains where complexity can frequently overshadow functionality.

About the Author

USA Flag This quote is written / told by Samuel Fuller between August 12, 1911 and October 30, 1997. He/she was a famous Director from USA. The author also have 6 other quotes.
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