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He that goeth about to persuade a multitude that they are not so well governed as they ought to be shall never want attentive and favorable hearers.
Richard Hooker
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that people are naturally inclined to listen to those who criticize their governance.

Richard Hooker's quote points to the idea that when someone attempts to convince a group that they are governed poorly, they will always find an audience willing to listen. This reflects human nature's tendency to be critical of authority and governance, where individuals often focus on perceived shortcomings rather than recognizing effective leadership.

Themes

GovernancePersuasionCriticismAudienceAuthority

In practice

Example use cases

In a political debate, one might quote this to highlight the susceptibility of the public to critiques of government.

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