In advertising, not to be different is virtually suicidal.
William BernbachRead
If you stand for something, you will always find some people for you and some people against you. If you stand for nothing, you will find nobody against you, and nobody for you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Standing for your beliefs attracts both supporters and critics, while indecision leads to apathy.
This quote by William Bernbach emphasizes the importance of standing firm in one’s beliefs or values. By taking a clear stance on an issue, one will likely garner both support and opposition, which reflects engagement and significance in one’s actions. Conversely, not having a position results in a lack of connection with others, rendering one unnoticed and irrelevant. Bernbach suggests that taking a stand is essential to meaningful existence.
Themes
BeliefsIndecisionEngagementSupportOpposition
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal integrity.
More from William Bernbach
All quotes →Don't confuse good taste with the absence of taste.
William BernbachRead
You cannot sell a man who isn't listening; word of mouth is the best medium of all; and dullness won't sell your product, but neither will irrelevant brilliance.
William BernbachRead
Properly practiced creativity must result in greater sales more economically achieved. Properly practiced creativity can lift your claims out of the swamp of sameness and make them accepted, believed, persuasive, urgent.
William BernbachRead
In this very real world, good doesn't drive out evil. Evil doesn't drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive.
William BernbachRead
Let us prove to the world that good taste, good art, and good writing can be good selling.
William BernbachRead
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