If forty million people say a foolish thing it does not become a wise one, but the wise man is foolish to give them the lie.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mass opinion doesn’t make a claim wise, and a wise person should not spread falsehoods to the crowd.
- In plain terms
- Many people saying something doesn’t make it wise, and wise people shouldn’t lie to them.
- What can you take from it?
- Don’t rely on popularity for truth; be honest even to crowds.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you judge truth amid popular opinion?
- When is it ethical to with a crowd?
Another view
Sometimes strategic deception is used in politics.
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