Consider in fact, a body of six hundred and fifty-eight…
“Consider in fact, a body of six hundred and fifty-eight miscellaneous persons, set to consult about "business," with twenty-seven millions, mostly fools, assiduously listening to them, and checking and criticising them. Was there ever, since the world began, will there ever be till the world end, any "business" accomplished in these circumstances?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote criticizes large, noisy gatherings of unqualified people making decisions, suggesting they rarely achieve meaningful results.
In simple terms: Large groups of unqualified people rarely accomplish real business.
Key Takeaway
Avoid noisy, unqualified committees.
Themes
leadership
decisionmaking
competence
communication
skepticism
Mood
cynical
critical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- business meetings
- political councils
- corporate boards
- community planning
Key Concepts
group dynamics
expertise
efficiency
noise
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure expertise in decision groups?
- What structures reduce noise in meetings?
A Different Perspective
Even small groups can be ineffective without clear expertise.