This lukewarm temper arises partly from the fear of…
““This lukewarm temper arises partly from the fear of adversaries who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of mankind, who will never admit the merit of anything new, until they have seen it proved by the event. The result, however, is that whenever the enemies of change make an attack, they do so with all the zeal of partisans, while the others defend themselves so feebly as to endanger both themselves and their cause.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People resist change because they fear powerful opponents and distrust new ideas until proven, leading to weak defense of progress.
In simple terms: Fear and distrust hinder acceptance of new ideas.
Key Takeaway
Guard against complacency and defend innovation.
Themes
politics
change
fear
defense
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political reform
- technological adoption
- organizational change
- public policy
Key Concepts
Machiavellian realism
social inertia
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders build trust for new ideas?
- What evidence convinces skeptics?
A Different Perspective
Resistance can be overcome with clear evidence and strong leadership.