A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of…
“A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Relying on chance or majority opinion undermines personal virtue; true moral action comes from individual conscience.
In simple terms: Don't trust chance or crowds for virtue.
Act from personal conscience.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political activism
- personal decisions
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you follow the majority?
- What role does intuition play in moral choices?
Majority opinion can sometimes reflect collective wisdom; blind individualism may ignore beneficial norms.