Asking Quote by Doris Lessing
“Often the mass emotions are those which seem the noblest, best and most beautiful. And yet, inside a year, five years, a decade, five decades, people will be asking, "How could you have believed that?" because events will have taken place that will have banished the said mass emotions to the dustbin of history.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Golden Notebook, 1962
Collective feelings often appear noble but later are judged as misguided as history unfolds.
In simple terms: Mass emotions can seem noble then be discredited.
Key Takeaway
Question popular sentiment over time.
Themes
history
collective sentiment
illusion
change
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political movements
- social media trends
- cultural shifts
- public opinion
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Sociology
psychology
historical revisionism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate the longevity of a popular belief?
- What factors cause collective sentiment to shift?
A Different Perspective
Mass emotions may be manipulated or misinterpreted.
