"Advertising reflects the mores of society, but it does not influence them."

Wisdom

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Wisdom as articulated by David Ogilvy. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Wisdom provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About David Ogilvy

David Ogilvy may refer to:David Ogilvy (businessman) (1911–1999), British advertising executive
David Ogilvy (cricketer) (1859–1917), Australian cricketer
David Ogilvy, 3rd Earl of Airlie, Scottish peer
David Ogilvy, 6th Earl of Airlie (1725–1803), Scottish nobleman and Jacobite military officer
David Ogilvy, 9th Earl of Airlie (1785–1849), Scottish representative peer, Lord Lieutenant of Angus 1826–1849
David Ogilvy, 10th Earl of Airlie (1826–1881), his son, Scottish representative peer
David Ogilvy, 11th Earl of Airlie (1856–1900), his son, Scottish soldier and representative peer
David Ogilvy, 12th Earl of Airlie (1893–1968), his son, Scottish soldier, peer, and courtier
David Ogilvy, 13th Earl of Airlie (1926–2023), his son, Scottish Lord Chamberlain 1984-1997, Lord Lieutenant of Angus 1989-2001
David Ogilvy (1804–1871), first president of the Law Institute of Victoria

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More by David Ogilvy

"The advertisers who believe in the selling power of jingles have never had to sell anything."

— David Ogilvy
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"I have a theory that the best ads come from personal experience. Some of the good ones I have done have really come out of the real experience of my life, and somehow this has come over as true and valid and persuasive."

— David Ogilvy
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"Can advertising foist an inferior product on the consumer? Bitter experience has taught me that it cannot. On those rare occasions when I have advertised products which consumer tests have found inferior to other products in the same field, the results have been disastrous."

— David Ogilvy
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"Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon."

— David Ogilvy
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More about Wisdom

"Those Dutchmen had hardly any imagination or fantasy, but their good taste and their scientific knowledge of composition were enormous."

— Vincent van Gogh
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"Wisdom principle 40 tells us that the journey of life is lesson 68."

— Spiro Agnew
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"Those who know the least obey the best."

— George Farquhar
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"Wisdom principle 20 tells us that the journey of life is lesson 45."

— Sean Barrett (writer)
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