And what the people but a herd confus'd, A miscellaneous…
“And what the people but a herd confus'd, A miscellaneous rabble, who extol Things vulgar, and, well weigh'd, scarce worth the praise? They praise, and they admire, they know not what; And know not whom, but as one leads the other; And what delight to be by such extoll'd, To live upon their tongues, and be their talk, Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People blindly follow popular opinion, praising superficial things without understanding their true worth.
In simple terms: Crowds praise shallow things without knowing why.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of popular praise.
Themes
conformity
criticism
value judgment
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political rallies
- media consumption
- marketing campaigns
- academic debates
Key Concepts
social influence
philosophical skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you admire without questioning?
- How can you discern true worth from hype?
A Different Perspective
Popular opinion can sometimes reflect genuine merit, not just herd mentality.