Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.
Samuel ButlerRead
The history of the world is the record of the weakness, frailty and death of public opinion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Public opinion often sways and changes, reflecting society's weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Samuel Butler's quote emphasizes that the course of history is heavily influenced by the ever-shifting nature of public opinion, which can be frail and susceptible to change. It suggests that societal beliefs and values, rather than being steadfast, are often marked by uncertainty and can lead to significant outcomes, including the rise and fall of ideas, movements, and leaders over time.
Themes
Public OpinionHistoryWeaknessSocietyChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social movements, one could use this quote to illustrate how public opinion shapes historical events.
More from Samuel Butler
All quotes βTo know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should ever know him at all. I know not which is more childish to deny him, or define him.
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Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely reach them.
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An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
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Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.
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People care more about being thought to have taste than about being thought either good, clever or amiable.
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