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Gentlemen of the Convention, your present temper may not mark the healthful pulse of our people. When your enthusiasm has passed, when the emotions of this hour have subsided, we shall find below the storm and passion that calm level of public opinion from which the thoughts of a mighty people are to be measured, and by which final action will be determined.

James A. Garfield#20

PoliticsLeadershipPublic opinionDecision makingOpinionPublic

About this quote

What does it mean?
Garfield warns that current passionate opinions may not reflect the true, calmer views of the public that will dictate final decisions.
In plain terms
Right now people are excited, but later their calm opinion will decide what actually happens.
What can you take from it?
Wait for the public's calm view before judging final outcomes.

Where it applies

  • political debates
  • rallies
  • policy formation

Putting it to work

  • avoiding rash political moves
  • seeking long-term consensus

Questions to consider

  • How do you distinguish noise from signal in public debate?
  • When is passion a guide versus a distraction?

Another view

Immediate public sentiment can sometimes be the most valid measure.

More from James A. Garfield

  1. Nothing touches my heart more quickly than a tribute of honor to a great and noble character; but as I sat in my seat and witnessed this demonstration, this as…

    Permalink to quote #19
  2. Not in Chicago, in the heat of June, but at the ballot-boxes of the Republic, in the quiet of November, after the silence of deliberate judgment, will this que…

    Permalink to quote #21
  3. I thank you doctor, but I am a dead man

    Permalink to quote #18

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