The world will only, in the end, follow those who have despised as well as served it.
—Samuel Butler
Power is founded upon opinion.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
You’ve got to ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their points of view.
—Betty Boothroyd (1929–2023) British Politician, Speaker
Jesus Christ was crucified by public opinion.
—Russian Proverb
Justice is the result of public opinion.
—Chinese Proverb
We must live for the few who know and appreciate us, who judge and absolve us, and for whom we have the same affection and indulgence. The rest I look upon as a mere crowd, lively or sad, loyal or corrupt, from whom there is nothing to be expected but fleeting emotions, either pleasant or unpleasant, which leave no trace behind them.
—Sarah Bernhardt (1844–1923) French Actress
It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house for the voice of the kingdom.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Opinions are a private matter. The public has an interest only in judgments.
—Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) German Literary and Marxist Critic
American public opinion is like an ocean — it cannot be stirred by a teaspoon.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
Nothing is more unjust or capricious than public opinion.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Where an opinion is general, it is usually correct.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
If forty million people say a foolish thing it does not become a wise one, but the wise man is foolish to give them the lie.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
If one person tell thee that thou hast asses’ ears, do not mind it; but if two persons make this assertion, at once place a pack-saddle upon thy back.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Public opinion is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Public Opinion… an attempt to organize the ignorance of the community, and to elevate it to the dignity of physical force.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
He who fears the opinion of the world more than his own conscience has but little self-respect.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The voice of the people is as the voice of God.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Not what you say about yourself, but what others say.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The world is ruled by force, not by opinion; but opinion uses force.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the problem of the age.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Whosoever is loved by mankind is also loved by the Supreme, but whosoever is not loved by mankind is not loved by the Supreme.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Private opinion is weak, but public opinion is almost omnipotent.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Wonderful “Force of Public Opinion!” We must act and walk in all points as it prescribes; follow the traffic it bids us, realize the sum of money, the degree of “influence” it expects of us, or we shall be lightly esteemed; certain mouthfuls of articulate wind will be blown at us, and this what mortal courage can front?
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Don’t be swayed just because they say it’s public opinion. Remember, public opinion is simple what everybody else thinks.
—Unknown
There is no such thing as public opinion. There is only published opinion.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
With us, law is nothing unless close, behind it stands a warm, living public opinion. Let that die or grow indifferent, and statutes was waste paper, lacking all executive force.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
Where mass opinion dominates the government, there is a morbid derangement of the true functions of power. The derangement brings about the enfeeblement, verging on paralysis, of the capacity to govern. This breakdown in the constitutional order is the cause of the precipitate and catastrophic decline of Western society. It may, if it cannot be arrested and reversed, bring about the fall of the West.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator
Public opinion is a permeating influence, and it exacts obedience to itself; it requires us to think other men’s thoughts, to speak other men’s words, to follow other men’s habits.
—Walter Bagehot (1826–77) English Economist, Journalist
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