It is wonderful how preposterously the affairs of the…
“It is wonderful how preposterously the affairs of the world are managed. We assemble parliaments and councils to have the benefit of collected wisdom, but we necessarily have, at the same time, the inconvenience of their collected passions, prejudices and private interests: for regulating commerce an assembly of great men is the greatest fool on earth”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques how collective decision‑making bodies, while intended to harness shared wisdom, are inevitably tainted by members’ biases and self‑interest, leading to poor governance.
In simple terms: Group decisions often suffer from personal agendas.
Key Takeaway
Beware of letting passions dominate policy.
Themes
politics
governance
human nature
bias
collective decision‑making
Mood
cynical
critical
skeptical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- legislative bodies
- councils
- policy formation
Key Concepts
public choice theory
groupthink
conflict of interest
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal interests shape public policy?
- What safeguards can reduce bias in groups?
A Different Perspective
Even wise assemblies can be derailed by hidden motives.