A wise man's kingdom is his own breast: or, if he ever…
“A wise man's kingdom is his own breast: or, if he ever looks farther, it will only be to the judgment of a select few, who are free from prejudices, and capable of examining his work. Nothing indeed can be a stronger presumption of falsehood than the approbation of the multitude; and Phocion, you know, always suspected himself of some blunder when he was attended with the applauses of the populace.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True wisdom comes from self‑scrutiny, not from popular approval; the masses often misjudge.
In simple terms: Self‑examination beats crowd approval.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth through personal judgment.
Themes
wisdom
self‑critique
public opinion
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- leadership decisions
- media consumption
- personal growth
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trust your own judgment over the crowd?
- How can one guard against the bias of majority approval?
A Different Perspective
Relying on popular opinion can lead to collective error.