collective viewpoint Quotes

Popular opinion is the greatest lie in the world.

He whose honor depends on the opinion of the mob must day by day strive with the greatest anxiety, act and scheme in order to retain his reputation. For the mob is varied and inconsistent, and therefore if a reputation is not carefully preserved it dies quickly.

The choice of a point of view is the initial act of a culture.

Social opinion is like a sharp knife. There are foolish people who regard it only with terror, and dare not touch or meddle with it. There are more foolish people, who, in rashness or defiance, seize it by the blade, and get cut and mangled for their pains. And there are wise people, who grasp it discreetly and boldly by the handle, and use it to carve out their own purposes.

Every man speaks of public opinion, and means by public opinion, public opinion minus his opinion.

What we call public opinion is generally public sentiment.

Public opinion is the worst of all opinions.

Nothing is more unjust or capricious than public opinion.

Opinion is called the queen of the world; it is so, for when reason opposes it, it is condemned to death. It must rise twenty times from its ashes to gradually drive away the usurper.