Anyone who is popular is bound to be disliked.
—Yogi Berra (1925–2015) American Sportsperson
He cast off his friends as a huntsman his pack, for he knew when he pleased he could whistle them back.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
The great secrets of being courted, are, to shun others and to seem delighted with yourself.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Popularity is not an indication of quality.
—Vanna Bonta (1958–2014) Italian-American Novelist, Poet, Actress
I put no account on him who esteems himself just as the popular breath may chance to raise him.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
As inclination changes; thus ebbs and flows the unstable tide of public judgment.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Be as far from desiring the popular love as fearful to deserve the popular hate; ruin dwells in both; the one will hug thee to death; the other will crush thee to destruction: to escape the first, be not ambitious; avoid the second, be not seditious.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
Applause waits on success.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
I wouldn’t say I invented tack, but I definitely brought it to its present high popularity.
—Bette Midler (b.1945) American Actress, Singer
Seek not the favor of the multitude; it is seldom got by honest and lawful means. But seek the testimony of the few: and number not voices, but weigh them.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
I would jump down Etna for any public good—but I hate a mawkish popularity.
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefit.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
A few more days, and this essay will follow the Defensio Populi to the dust and silence of the upper shelf… For a month or two it will occupy a few minutes of chat in every drawing-room, and a few columns in every magazine; and it will then be withdrawn, to make room for the forthcoming novelties.
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–59) English Historian, Essayist, Philanthropist
O popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet seducing charms? The wisest and the best feel urgent need of all their caution in thy gentlest gales; but swell’d into a gust—who then, alas! with all his canvas set, and inexpert, and therefore heedless, can withstand thy power?
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Popularity is the only insult that has not yet been offered to Mr. Whistler.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Popularity is exhausting. The life of the party almost always winds up in a corner with an overcoat over him.
—Wilson Mizner (1876–1933) American Dramatist
I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don’t care for.
—Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830–1916) Austrian Novelist
Popularity is glory’s small change.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Everybody’s private motto: It’s better to be popular than right.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Glory is safe when it is deserved; it is not so with popularity; one lasts like a mosaic; the other is effaced like a crayon drawing.
—Stanislas de Boufflers (1738–1815) French Political Leader, Writer
Popularity is not leadership.
—Richard Marcinko (1940–2021) American Navy Officer
The common people are but ill judges of a man’s merits; they are slaves to fame, and their eyes are dazzled with the pomp of titles and large retinue. No wonder, then, that they bestow their honors on those who least deserve them.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Satirist, Short Story Writer
Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures, and that is character.
—Horace Greeley (1811–72) American Journalist, Author
Avoid popularity if you would have peace.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Popularity is one insult I have never suffered.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Those who are commended by everybody must be very extraordinary men, or, which is more probable, very inconsiderable men.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
What most people in our culture mean by being lovable is essentially a mixture between being popular and having sex appeal.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Popularity? It’s glory’s small change.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
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