The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
If forty million people say a foolish thing it does not become a wise one.
Interpretation
Popularity does not determine the truth or wisdom of an idea.
The quote emphasizes that the validity of an idea is not influenced by how many people believe in it. It serves as a reminder that wisdom is independent of popular opinion, and just because something is widely accepted does not mean it is inherently true or wise. Critical thinking and individual judgment are essential in discerning wisdom from folly.
In practice
In a debate about social issues, one could use this quote to argue that just because a majority believes something, it doesn't make it right.
The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
Cronshaw stopped for a moment to drink. He had pondered for twenty years the problem whether he loved liquor because it made him talk or whether he loved conversation because it made him thirsty.
Are you sure you can prevent yourself from falling in love one of these days? Such things do happen, you know, even to the most prudent men.' Simon gave him a strange, one might even have thought a hostile, look. I should tear it out of my heart as I'd wrench out of my mouth a rotten tooth.
I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
There in the mist, enormous, majestic, silent and terrible, stood the Great Wall of China. Solitarily, with the indifference of nature herself, it crept up the mountain side and slipped down to the depth of the valley.
By the age of forty, a man is responsible for his face. And his fate.
Wise to resolve, patient to perform.
Every industrious man, in every lawful calling, is a useful man. And one principal reason why men are so often useless is that they neglect their own profession or calling, and divide and shift their attention among a multiplicity of objects and pursuits.
There is no creation without faith and hope. There is no faith and hope that does not express itself in creation.
There is no mistake; there has been no mistake; and there shall be no mistake.
What is reason? Knowledge informed by sympathy, intelligence in the arms of_x000D_ love.
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