--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never before have so few been in a…" description: "\"“Never before have so few been in a position to make fools, maniacs, or criminals of so many.”\" — Aldous Huxley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg" --- # Never before have so few been in a position to make fools… ![“Never before have so few been in a position to make fools, maniacs, or criminals of so many.” quote by Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg) > ““Never before have so few been in a position to make fools, maniacs, or criminals of so many.”” [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern society empowers manipulation, turning many into victims of deception. **In simple terms:** Few can manipulate many. Key Takeaway Stay critical of authority. Themes power manipulation society Mood cautionary thought‑provoking Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political activism - media literacy - education reform Key Concepts control mass psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize manipulation? - What safeguards protect against it? A Different Perspective Not everyone can resist manipulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Fools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fools/) [Fools Maniacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fools-maniacs-3091728/) [Maniacs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maniacs/) [Maniacs Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maniacs-criminals-3091727/) ## Related quotes > [Assemble a mob of men and women previously conditioned by a daily reading of the newspapers; treat them to amplified band music, bright lights...and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/assemble-a-mob-of-men-and-women-previously-conditioned-by-a-daily/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [It is because we don't know who we are, because we are unaware that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, that we behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/it-is-because-we-don-t-know-who-we-are-because-we-are-unaware-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“You maniacs! You blew it all up! Goddam you all. Goddam you all to hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-taylor/you-maniacs-you-blew-it-all-up-goddam-you-all-goddam-you-all-to-hell/) [George Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-taylor/) > [As, for the safety of society, we commit honest maniacs to Bedlam, so judges should be withdrawn from their bench, whose erroneous biases are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/as-for-the-safety-of-society-we-commit-honest-maniacs-to-bedlam-so/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I'm such a maniac. Where wayne at, I'm tryna get sum brainiac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/i-m-such-a-maniac-where-wayne-at-i-m-tryna-get-sum-brainiac/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [There are those who view the abolitionists as just maniacs, apolitical fanatics who helped to cause the war, and Lincoln is the model of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-foner/there-are-those-who-view-the-abolitionists-as-just-maniacs-apolitical/) [Eric Foner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-foner/) > [ I'm a maniac, and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly. And Ben \[Carson\] you're a terrible surgeon. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-m-a-maniac-and-everyone-on-this-stage-is-stupid-fat-and-ugly-and/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [It is between fifty and sixty years since I read it (i.e. the Book of Revelations), and I then considered it merely the ravings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-is-between-fifty-and-sixty-years-since-i-read-it-i-e-the-book-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“but there comes a point I’m afraid where you begin to suspect that if there’s any real truth, it’s that the entire multidimensional infinity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/but-there-comes-a-point-i-m-afraid-where-you-begin-to-suspect-that-if/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [The beauty of religious mania is that it has the power to explain everything. Once God (or Satan) is accepted as the first cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-beauty-of-religious-mania-is-that-it-has-the-power-to-explain/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [I don't view myself as a victim of gun violence. I view myself as a victim of a maniac who happened to use a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanna-hupp/i-don-t-view-myself-as-a-victim-of-gun-violence-i-view-myself-as-a/) [Suzanna Hupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanna-hupp/) > [Good films can be made only by a crew of Dedicated Maniacs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lean/good-films-can-be-made-only-by-a-crew-of-dedicated-maniacs/) [David Lean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lean/) > [ Aside from doing publicity for this film \[The Longest Yard\], I have Auto Maniac coming on the History Channel and since I got married… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-goldberg/aside-from-doing-publicity-for-this-film-the-longest-yard-i-have-auto/) [Bill Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-goldberg/) > [God bless the homicidal maniacs. They make life worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/god-bless-the-homicidal-maniacs-they-make-life-worthwhile/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [This is no time to be precious about locating the exact individuals directly involved in this particular terrorist attack… We know who the homicidal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/this-is-no-time-to-be-precious-about-locating-the-exact-individuals/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) ## More by Aldous Huxley > [“Unorthodoxy threatens more than the life of a mere individual; it strikes at Society itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/unorthodoxy-threatens-more-than-the-life-of-a-mere-individual-it/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [My fate cannot be mastered; it can only be collaborated with and thereby, to some extent, directed. Nor am I the captain of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/my-fate-cannot-be-mastered-it-can-only-be-collaborated-with-and/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Impulse arrested spills over, and the flood is feeling, the flood is passion, the flood is even madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/impulse-arrested-spills-over-and-the-flood-is-feeling-the-flood-is/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“The question for the man of sense is: Do we or do we not want to go to hell? And his answer is: No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-question-for-the-man-of-sense-is-do-we-or-do-we-not-want-to-go-to/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“I’ll MAKE you be free whether you want to or not.’ -The Savage”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/i-ll-make-you-be-free-whether-you-want-to-or-not-the-savage/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [The third petition of the Lord's Prayer is repeated daily by millions who have not the slightest intention of letting anyone's will be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-third-petition-of-the-lord-s-prayer-is-repeated-daily-by-millions/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Then what’s time for?” asked Lenina in some astonishment. Apparently, for going on walks in the Lake District; for that was what he now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/then-what-s-time-for-asked-lenina-in-some-astonishment-apparently-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [All right then," said the Savage defiantly, "I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/all-right-then-said-the-savage-defiantly-i-m-claiming-the-right-to-be/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/speed-it-seems-to-me-provides-the-one-genuinely-modern-pleasure/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“What you need is a gramme of soma.” “All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/what-you-need-is-a-gramme-of-soma-all-the-advantages-of-christianity/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [To be enlightened is to be aware, always, of total reality in its immanent otherness - to be aware of it and yet remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-be-enlightened-is-to-be-aware-always-of-total-reality-in-its/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Quote of the day:Quote of the day: A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/quote-of-the-day-quote-of-the-day-a-democracy-which-makes-or-even/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## More Criminals quotes > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [They're criminals, they brutalized Afghanistan, they killed our people, they destroyed our land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/they-re-criminals-they-brutalized-afghanistan-they-killed-our-people/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [There are over 500,000 registered sex offenders across the country, and statistics have shown that the recidivism rate for those criminals is high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-sensenbrenner/there-are-over-500-000-registered-sex-offenders-across-the-country/) [Jim Sensenbrenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-sensenbrenner/) > [Discovering witnesses is just as important as catching criminals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-wiesenthal/discovering-witnesses-is-just-as-important-as-catching-criminals/) [Simon Wiesenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-wiesenthal/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [What most needs explanation is not why some people are criminals, but why most people are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-q-wilson/what-most-needs-explanation-is-not-why-some-people-are-criminals-but/) [James Q. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-q-wilson/) > [A criminal trial is never about seeking justice for the victim. If it were, there could be only one verdict: guilty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/a-criminal-trial-is-never-about-seeking-justice-for-the-victim-if-it/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [There's some criminals that wear badges. Guess what? There's some criminals that work in the media. There's some criminals that are football coaches. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dabo-swinney/there-s-some-criminals-that-wear-badges-guess-what-there-s-some/) [Dabo Swinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dabo-swinney/) > [Nobody can really compare a relationship in which the victim is 15 years old to one where she's 6. While both criminal, they're very different circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/nobody-can-really-compare-a-relationship-in-which-the-victim-is-15/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Humanity is not perfect in any fashion; no more in the case of evil than in that of good. The criminal has his virtues,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/humanity-is-not-perfect-in-any-fashion-no-more-in-the-case-of-evil/) [Pierre Choderlos de Laclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/) > [“criminals were all derived from the same ethnicity – scumbag”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-thomson/criminals-were-all-derived-from-the-same-ethnicity-scumbag/) [L.H. Thomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-thomson/) > [New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/new-orleans-food-is-as-delicious-as-the-less-criminal-forms-of-sin/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“When a doctor does go wrong, he is the first of criminals. He has the nerve and he has the knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/when-a-doctor-does-go-wrong-he-is-the-first-of-criminals-he-has-the/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Sometimes the law defends plunder and participates in it. Sometimes the law places the whole apparatus of judges, police, prisons and gendarmes at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/sometimes-the-law-defends-plunder-and-participates-in-it-sometimes/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [War should be made a crime, and those who instigate it should be punished as criminals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-evans-hughes/war-should-be-made-a-crime-and-those-who-instigate-it-should-be/) [Charles Evans Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-evans-hughes/) [Browse all 1,886 Criminals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Never before have so few been in a position to make fools, maniacs, or criminals of so many.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aldous Huxley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-position-to-make-fools-maniacs-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Criminals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-position-to-make-fools-maniacs-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd3/aldous-huxley-97_quote_never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-posit_1129008.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Never before have so few been in a position to make fools, maniacs, or criminals of so many.” — Aldous Huxley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aldous Huxley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Never before have so few been...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-position-to-make-fools-maniacs-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/never-before-have-so-few-been-in-a-position-to-make-fools-maniacs-or/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```