Rousseau was mad but influential; Hume was sane but had no followers. ~ Bertrand Russell
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Russell contrasts Rousseau's disruptive influence with Hume's rational lack of followers.
- In plain terms
- Madness can drive influence, while sanity may not attract followers.
- What can you take from it?
- Influence does not require sanity; it requires impact.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does sanity hinder influence?
- What drives historical change?
Another view
The dichotomy oversimplifies the complex reasons behind historical influence.
More from David Hume
In every page of David Hume, there is more to be learned than from Hegel's, Herbart's and Schleiermacher's complete philosophical works. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer
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