We would not listen to those who were wont to say the voice of
the people is the voice read more

We would not listen to those who were wont to say the voice of
the people is the voice of God, for the voice of the mob is near
akin to madness.
[Lat., Nec audiendi sunt qui solent dicere vox populi, vox dei;
cum tumultus vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit.]

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.]

The voice of the people has about it something divine: for how
otherwise can so many heads agree together read more

The voice of the people has about it something divine: for how
otherwise can so many heads agree together as one?
[Lat., Vox populi habet aliquid divinum: nam quomo do aliter tot
capita in unum conspirare possint?]

Hence ye profane; I hate ye all;
Both the great vulgar, and the small.

Hence ye profane; I hate ye all;
Both the great vulgar, and the small.

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.

The proverbial wisdom of the populace in the streets, on the
roads, and in the markets, instructs the ear read more

The proverbial wisdom of the populace in the streets, on the
roads, and in the markets, instructs the ear of him who studies
man more fully than a thousand rules ostentatiously arranged.

This many-headed monster, Multitude.

This many-headed monster, Multitude.

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 man in the street does not know a star in the sky.

The man in the street does not know a star in the sky.