As soon as you put men together, they somehow sink…
“As soon as you put men together, they somehow sink, corporatively, below the level of the worst of the individuals composing it. Collect scholars on a club committee, or men of science on a jury; all their virtues vanish, and their vices pop out, reinforced by the self-confidence which the power of numbers is bound to bestow.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Group dynamics can suppress individual virtues and amplify flaws, especially when power is assumed.
In simple terms: Groups may diminish good traits and highlight bad ones.
Key Takeaway
Beware of collective overconfidence.
Themes
groupthink
power dynamics
human nature
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- committee work
- jury deliberations
- team projects
- organizational governance
Key Concepts
social psychology
leadership
collective responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you seen a group improve individual performance?
- How can groups maintain individual accountability?
A Different Perspective
Group pressure can also produce positive outcomes.