Common Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common consent into vice, none appear to do so. He that stops first, views as from a fixed point the horrible extravagance that transports the rest.”
About This Quote
The passage suggests that when everyone follows the same path, true change is invisible, and collective moral decline goes unnoticed; only the early dissenters perceive the underlying excess.
In simple terms: Uniformity masks change and vice.
Key Takeaway
Early dissent reveals hidden excess.
Themes
conformity
perception
moral decay
individualism
social dynamics
Mood
reflective
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- political movements
- corporate cultures
- social trends
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
collective behavior
ethical blindness
early warning
Practical Applications
- risk assessment
- leadership training
Questions to Reflect On
- How does conformity affect moral awareness?
- What role do early dissenters play in society?
![“I will say this quite plainly, what truly human is -and don't be afraid of this word- love. And I mean it even with everything that burdens love or, i could say it better, responsibility is actually love, as Pascal said: 'without concupiscence' [without lust]... love exists without worrying being…” quote by Emmanuel Levinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/83d/emmanuel-levinas-26126_being-loved_i-will-say-this-quite-plainly-what-truly_532817.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
