MULTITUDE, n. A crowd; the source of political wisdom and virtue. In a republic, the object of the statesman's adoration.
Interpretation
A multitude is often perceived as a source of wisdom and virtue, particularly in political contexts, despite its chaotic nature.
In this quote, Ambrose Bierce presents a skeptical view of the concept of 'multitude' in the political realm. He suggests that while crowds may be viewed as embodying wisdom and virtue, especially in a republican context where the popular will is paramount, they can also represent the complexities and contradictions inherent in collective human action. The statesman's reverence for the multitude may reflect an idealization that overlooks the potential for disorder and irrationality that large groups can also bring.
In practice
This quote can be used to provoke thought in a political debate about the role of public opinion.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
The beginning of freedom is the realization that you are not βthe thinker.β The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realize that there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of that intelligence. You also realize that all the things that truly matter β beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace β arise from beyond the mind. You begin to awaken.
If the day comes when you would find me again, give that coin to any man from Braavos, and say these words to him--valar morghulis.
If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future.
Nirvana is not the blowing out of the candle. It is the extinguishing of the flame because day is come.
Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.
Intelligence is a moral category.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.