[Regarding legislative assemblies,] the number ought at…
![“[Regarding legislative assemblies,] the number ought at most to be kept within a certain limit, in order to avoid the confusion and intemperance of a multitude. In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever characters composed, passion never fails to wrest the scepter from reason. Had every…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/2e9/james-madison-373_assembly_regarding-legislative-assemblies-the-num_1037098.jpg)
“[Regarding legislative assemblies,] the number ought at most to be kept within a certain limit, in order to avoid the confusion and intemperance of a multitude. In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever characters composed, passion never fails to wrest the scepter from reason. Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Large assemblies tend to become chaotic, allowing passions to dominate over reason, leading to mob-like behavior.
In simple terms: Too many people in a group cause chaos and irrational decisions.
Key Takeaway
Limit group size to preserve rational decision‑making.
Themes
politics
democracy
group dynamics
reason
passion
Mood
cautious
analytical
concerned
Type
political
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- legislative bodies
- community meetings
- online forums
- corporate boards
Key Concepts
public sphere
collective behavior
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions balance inclusivity with effective deliberation?
- What safeguards prevent passion from overriding reason?
A Different Perspective
Large groups can still be disciplined with strong institutional rules.