Arabian Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“RABBLE, n. In a republic, those who exercise a supreme authority tempered by fraudulent elections. The rabble is like the sacred Simurgh, of Arabian fable - omnipotent on condition that it do nothing.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Devil’s Dictionary” by Ambrose Bierce, 1906
The “rabble” is a powerful yet inert mass, likened to a mythic creature that only exists when it does nothing.
In simple terms: The crowd is powerful only when it remains passive.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the danger of complacent masses.
Themes
politics
society
power
complacency
mythology
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
satirical
When to use this quote
- elections
- public opinion formation
- social movements
Key Concepts
social inertia
collective power
mythic metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates a passive crowd to become active?
- How does complacency affect democratic health?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overstate passivity; groups can act decisively when mobilized.
![“The rabble also vent their rage in words. [Ger., Es macht das Volk sich auch mit Worten Lust.]” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c60/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_anger_the-rabble-also-vent-their-rage-in-words_825307.jpg)
