received, or accepted, idea; conventional wisdom, misconception.; catchphrase; platitude
“Et pourtant, quoiqu'il choquât toutes les idées reçues, quoiqu'il lui fût impossible de se faire au goût de ce sot public, quoiqu'il scandalisât les femmes par le désordre de sa tenue, quoiqu'il offensât les hommes par ses mépris pour leurs sottes exigences, il avait des moments de puissance sublime et de fascination irrésistible, […]” — And yet, although he shocked conventional wisdom, although it was impossible for him to conform to the taste of this stupid public, although he scandalised the women by the disorder of his attire, although he offended the men by his contempt for their stupid demands, he had moments of sublime power and irresistible fascination, […]