The individual is foolish; the multitude, for the moment is foolish, when they act without deliberation; but the species is wise, and, when time is given to it, as a species it always acts right.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Individuals and crowds can act foolishly in the moment, but over time humanity learns and acts wisely.
- In plain terms
- Short-term individual or crowd actions may be foolish, but long-term human progress is wise.
- What can you take from it?
- Trust long-term human judgment over momentary impulses.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Have you trusted time to solve a problem?
Another view
Sometimes long-term outcomes also fail.
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He was not merely a chip of the old Block, but the old Block itself.
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