Everybody said so. Far be it from me to assert that what…
““Everybody said so. Far be it from me to assert that what everybody says must be true. Everybody is, often, as likely to be wrong as right. In the general experience, everybody has been wrong so often, and it has taken in most instances such a weary while to find out how wrong, that the authority is proved to be fallible. Everybody may sometimes be right; "but that's no rule," as the ghost of Giles Scroggins says in the ballad.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often assume majority opinion is correct, but collective judgment can be flawed; authority is fallible and should be questioned.
In simple terms: Majority isn’t always right; authority can be wrong.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek evidence.
Themes
critical thinking
authority
skepticism
truth
social influence
Mood
cautious
inquisitive
skeptical
Type
advice
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- making decisions
- evaluating news
- group discussions
- leadership
- academic research
Key Concepts
epistemology
cognitive bias
herd behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify claims before accepting them?
- When should you challenge popular opinion?
A Different Perspective
Even widespread belief can be mistaken, especially without evidence.