Empty Gestures Quotes

I don't think any of the early Romantic composers knew how to write for the piano... The music of that era is full of empty theatrical gestures, full of exhibitionism, and it has a worldly, hedonistic quality that simply turns me off.

Hand me the world on a silver platter, and what good would it be?

As you see in a pair of bellows, there is a forced breath without life, so in those that are puffed up with the wind of ostentation, there may be charitable words without works.

When politicians send their thoughts and prayers with no action, we say, 'No more.'

Senator Gillibrand is good at saying things that sound nice but have little substance. I don't think we elect our public officials to avoid taking a stand or a difficult position on anything.

Saddam Hussein has set an example of defiance, especially against the first President Bush, that other Arab leaders cannot and should not emulate; the example leads only to empty gestures and developmental stagnation, both of which the Arab nations have had enough of already.

It's much easier to wear a Chairman Mao button and shake your fists in the air and all that, then to actually read the Communist manifesto and things like that and actually become involved in politics.

Standing up for national anthem doesn't make you an Indian. Posting flags on social networks doesn't make you an Indian.

We’re not very good at policy making any more, but we are good at symbolism. So we do a lot of symbols.

Mumbling obeisance to abhorrence of apartheid is like those lapsed believers who cross themselves when entering a church.

I've been standing up against what I call the 'virtue signalling' from Justin Trudeau which actually ignores the real challenges of the day and offers symbolic gestures as a substitute.

Men are always ready to die for us, but not to make our lives worth having. Cheap sentiment and bad logic.

The vain poet is of the opinion that nothing of his can be too much: he sends to you basketful after basketful of juiceless fruit, covered with scentless flowers.

It's easy to be quick on the draw when no one has got real bullets.

How generous was it to offer gifts to people one knew would never accept them?

You don't defend national sovereignty with flags, cheap election rhetoric, and advertising campaigns.

Plans without price tags are simply pandering.

Things fit only to give weight to smoke.

Time's Up is finally, it would seem, activism with some teeth. It isn't perfect, however. One of the first acts of protest - urging celebrities to wear black to awards shows - reveals a worrisome willingness to keep lunging toward those lazy, meaningless and empty gestures that cheapen the seriousness of an issue.

Is the Archbishop's blessing any more meaningful than the Politician's handshake? The come, they go, with bigger things than us on their minds.

The false pride of perennial celebration, of wearing flag lapel pins while betraying the values that the flag stands for, is like the self-esteem curriculum for toddlers, where everything is praised and no achievement ultimately has meaning.