God Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God; and, however generally this maxim has been quoted and believed, it is not true to fact. The people are turbulent and changing, they seldom judge or determine right.”
About This Quote
Source The Federalist Papers, No. 78, 1788
Popular opinion is unreliable; the masses are fickle and not a sound basis for truth.
In simple terms: People are changeable and not always right.
Key Takeaway
Question the wisdom of majority rule.
Themes
politics
democracy
public opinion
truth
society
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
political
critical
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy making
- media analysis
Key Concepts
social psychology
political theory
mass behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect against volatile public opinion?
- Can collective judgment ever be trusted?
A Different Perspective
Majorities can be misinformed or manipulated.
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