Banality vs. Truism — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
Banality refers to the quality of being unoriginal or obvious, often boring, while a truism is a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting.
Difference Between Banality and Truism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Banality captures the essence of something being commonplace or lacking in originality, suggesting an uninspired or pedestrian nature. In contrast, truism refers specifically to statements or assertions that are self-evidently true and do not add any meaningful insight, reflecting a form of accepted wisdom that is redundant to state.
While banalities are often criticized for their dullness and predictability in various forms of discourse, truisms might still hold value in conversation as rhetorical affirmations or in reinforcing commonly held beliefs. Truisms are not necessarily negative; their truth is acknowledged universally.
On the other hand, the concept of banality can be used pejoratively to describe art, speech, or literature that fails to provoke thought or evoke any significant response due to its overfamiliarity. Truisms, however, are usually benign and are often employed to underline an argument or to bring clarity to a discussion, despite their lack of profundity.
Banality is frequently associated with a lack of creativity, where something is so predictable that it becomes tiresome. Whereas truisms, by their very nature, are not intended to surprise or challenge the audience but to echo common sentiments.
In literature and speech, banality is often a critique aimed at content that fails to engage the audience intellectually or emotionally. In contrast, truisms might be strategically used to bridge understanding or emphasize a point without the risk of controversy or misunderstanding.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Quality of being unoriginal and predictably boring
Statement that is obviously true and uninformative
Usage in Language
Often used pejoratively
Generally neutral or sometimes affirmatively used
Intent
Inadvertent result of lack of original thought
Deliberate use to state an accepted fact
Impact on Audience
Can induce boredom or disinterest
Aims to reinforce or confirm common knowledge
Example in Literature
Repetitive themes or cliched expressions
Often used maxims or acknowledged truths
Compare with Definitions
Banality
A quality of being devoid of freshness or originality.
The banality of the morning meeting was evident in the predictable complaints and lackluster discussions.
Truism
A claim that is generally accepted as true without controversy.
Her speech included the truism that we must strive to do better, which nobody disputed.
Banality
Commonplace or trivial quality.
His speech was filled with banality, offering no new insights or inspiring ideas.
Truism
A statement that is clearly true and says little new or interesting.
The book is filled with truisms, like life is short and hard work pays off.
Banality
Something lacking in novelty.
The novel was criticized for its banality, with plot twists that readers could see coming from a mile away.
Truism
An obvious or self-evident truth.
It's a truism that time flies when you're having fun, yet we often remark on it as if it's a fresh insight.
Banality
Overused and unoriginal content or form.
Critics dismissed the film as a collection of banalities, with clichéd dialogue and predictable outcomes.
Truism
A cliché used in argumentation to state the obvious.
He often used truisms in debates, which although true, did little to advance his arguments.
Banality
The state of being boring or tediously predictable.
The conversation drifted into banality, with each topic more mundane than the last.
Truism
A commonly repeated phrase or idea typically accepted as valid.
The politician repeated the truism that all votes count, a sentiment echoed throughout the campaign.
Banality
The condition or quality of being banal; triviality.
Truism
A truism is a claim that is so obvious or self-evident as to be hardly worth mentioning, except as a reminder or as a rhetorical or literary device, and is the opposite of falsism.In philosophy, a sentence which asserts incomplete truth conditions for a proposition may be regarded as a truism. An example of such a sentence would be "Under appropriate conditions, the sun rises." Without contextual support – a statement of what those appropriate conditions are – the sentence is true but incontestable.
Banality
Something that is trite, obvious, or predictable; a commonplace.
Truism
A statement that is obviously true or that is often presented as true
"the truism that envy often masquerades as resentment" (John Rawls).
Banality
(uncountable) The quality of being banal.
Truism
A self-evident or obvious truth.
Banality
(countable) Something which is banal.
Truism
A banality or cliché.
Banality
A feudal right or obligation, especially the obligation for a peasant to grind grain at the lord's mill, or the profits accruing from such rights.
Truism
An undoubted or self-evident truth; a statement which is pliantly true; a proposition needing no proof or argument; - opposed to falsism.
Trifling truisms clothed in great, swelling words.
Banality
Something commonplace, hackneyed, or trivial; the commonplace, in speech.
The highest things were thus brought down to the banalities of discourse.
Truism
An obvious truth
Banality
A trite or obvious remark
Common Curiosities
Can the use of banality be effective in any context?
While generally viewed negatively, banality can sometimes be used effectively to create a familiar, comforting environment or in comedic contexts to highlight the mundane aspects of life.
What role do truisms play in cultural expressions?
Truisms often serve as the backbone for cultural expressions, encapsulating shared truths and wisdoms that are easily recognizable and relatable across various contexts.
What is the primary difference between banality and truism?
Banality refers to something that is unoriginal and typically boring, whereas a truism is a statement that is obviously true and usually uninformative.
What strategies can be employed to effectively use truisms without sounding banal?
To use truisms effectively without sounding banal, one should balance them with original thoughts, provide fresh insights or applications, and integrate them smoothly into the broader message or argument.
Can a truism be a banality?
Yes, truisms can sometimes be considered banal if they are overly used and offer no new insights.
How do banalities affect communication?
Banalities can diminish the impact of communication by making messages seem uninspired and predictable, potentially leading to disengagement from the audience.
Why might someone intentionally use a truism in speech or writing?
Someone might use truisms to reinforce widely accepted ideas, provide clarity, or establish common ground with the audience without introducing controversial points.
What distinguishes a truism from a cliché?
A truism is always true and generally accepted without need for proof, while a cliché is an overused phrase or opinion that may not necessarily be true.
How can one avoid banality in creative work?
To avoid banality, one can strive for originality in ideas and presentation, seek out unique perspectives, and avoid overused themes and expressions.
How can one identify a banal statement?
A banal statement typically lacks novelty, feels very predictable, and does not provoke much thought or emotional response from the listener.
Are truisms helpful in academic writing?
Truisms can provide foundational truths in academic writing but should be used sparingly to avoid seeming simplistic or not adding substantive value to the argument.
How do cultural perceptions affect the reception of banalities and truisms?
Cultural perceptions can influence how banalities and truisms are received; what is considered banal in one culture might be insightful in another, and vice versa for truisms.
What is the impact of using truisms in persuasive speech?
Using truisms in persuasive speech can strengthen arguments by basing them on undeniable truths, although relying too heavily on them might make the speech less engaging.
Is it possible for a statement to start as a truism and become a banality?
Yes, a statement that begins as a truism can become a banality if it is repeated too frequently and loses its impact or perceived value.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
