The Public is an old woman. Let her maunder and mumble.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The general public is portrayed as fickle and prone to incoherent complaint, so it is best to ignore their noise.
- In plain terms
- The public often talks nonsense, so do not take it seriously.
- What can you take from it?
- Ignore public opinion when it is irrational or unfocused.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should you ignore public opinion?
- How do you distinguish noise from valid feedback?
Another view
Dismissing public sentiment entirely can lead to isolation or poor decisions.
More from Thomas Carlyle
It is now almost my sole rule of life to clear myself of cants and formulas, as of poisonous Nessus shirts.
Permalink to quote #2 A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.
Permalink to quote #4 Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore we must learn both arts.
Permalink to quote #1
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