The public! the public! how many fools does it require to make
the public?
[Fr., Le public! le read more

The public! the public! how many fools does it require to make
the public?
[Fr., Le public! le public! combien faut-il de sots pour faire
un public?]

The individual is foolish; the multitude, for the moment is
foolish, when they act without deliberation; but the species read more

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.

No whispered rumours which the many spread can wholly perish.

No whispered rumours which the many spread can wholly perish.

He who serves the public is a poor animal; he worries himself to
death and no one thanks him read more

He who serves the public is a poor animal; he worries himself to
death and no one thanks him for it.
[Ger., Wer dem Publicum dient, ist ein armes Thier;
Er qualt sich ab, niemand bedankt sich dafur.]

The rabble estimate few things according to their real value,
most things according to their prejudices.
[Lat., Vulgus read more

The rabble estimate few things according to their real value,
most things according to their prejudices.
[Lat., Vulgus ex veritate pauca, ex opinione multa aestimat.]

For who can be secure of private right,
If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might?
Nor read more

For who can be secure of private right,
If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might?
Nor is the people's judgment always true:
The most may err as grossly as the few.

I wish the crowd to feel itself well treated,
Especially since it lives and lets me live.
read more

I wish the crowd to feel itself well treated,
Especially since it lives and lets me live.
[Ger., Ich wunschte sehr, der Menge zu behagen,
Besonders weil sie lebt und leben lasst.]

The fickle populace always change with the prince.
[Lat., Mobile mutatur semper cum principe vulgus.]

The fickle populace always change with the prince.
[Lat., Mobile mutatur semper cum principe vulgus.]

It is a good part of sagacity to have known the foolish desires
of the crowd and their unreasonable read more

It is a good part of sagacity to have known the foolish desires
of the crowd and their unreasonable notions.
[Lat., Bona prudentiae pars est nosse stultas vulgi cupiditates,
et absurdas opiniones.]