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.
Interpretation
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.
In practice
In a political debate, one might quote this to highlight the susceptibility of the public to critiques of government.
The rule of law bakes no bread, it is unable to distribute loaves or fishes (it has none), and it cannot protect itself against external assault, but it remains the most civilized and least burdensome conception of a state yet to be devised.
Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens devils to contest his vision. The more a man can achieve, the more he may be certain that the devil will inhabit a part of his creation.
I have firmly decided to bite the dust with a minimum of medical assistance when my time comes, and up to then to sin to my wicked heart's content.
To my mind, faith is like being in the sun. When you are in the sun, can you avoid creating a shadow? Can you shake that area of darkness that clings to you, always shaped like you, as if constantly to remind you of yourself? You can’t. This shadow is doubt. And it goes wherever you go as long as you stay in the sun. And who wouldn’t want to be in the sun?
[H]owever weak our country may be, I hope we shall never sacrifice our liberties.
In every free and deliberating society, there must, from the nature of man, be opposite parties, and violent dissensions and discords; and one of these, for the most part, must prevail over the other for a longer or shorter time.
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