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Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How's that again? I missed something.
Robert A. Heinlein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the belief in collective wisdom over individual wisdom.

Robert A. Heinlein's quote emphasizes the foundational premise of democracy that collective decision-making, derived from the perspectives and experiences of many individuals, is inherently wiser than that of a single person. It suggests a skepticism about the assumption that a large group of people, because of their diverse viewpoints and knowledge, can arrive at better decisions than an individual, questioning both the validity and the practical implementation of democratic principles.

Themes

DemocracyWisdomCollectiveDecisionsIndividual

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate on governance, one might use this quote to support the value of public input.

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The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
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Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
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When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere.
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