---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And where there had been only jeers or…"
description: "\"And where there had been only jeers or taunts at first, crowds came to listen with serious and sympathetic mien.\" — Edward Carpenter"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/edward-carpenter-18169_crowds_and-where-there-had-been-only-jeers-or-t_1744626.jpg"
---

#  And where there had been only jeers or taunts at first…

![“And where there had been only jeers or taunts at first, crowds came to listen with serious and sympathetic mien.” quote by Edward Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/edward-carpenter-18169_crowds_and-where-there-had-been-only-jeers-or-t_1744626.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/edward-carpenter-18169_crowds_and-where-there-had-been-only-jeers-or-t_1744626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01c/edward-carpenter-18169_crowds_and-where-there-had-been-only-jeers-or-t_1744626.jpg)

> “And where there had been only jeers or taunts at first, crowds came to listen with serious and sympathetic mien.”

[Edward Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-carpenter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Crowds can shift from mockery to empathy, showing the power of collective perception.

**In simple terms:** People can change from jeering to listening.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the impact of group dynamics.

Themes

social influence empathy public opinion

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

- political rallies
- public debates
- media coverage

Key Concepts

crowd psychology social change

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you witnessed a crowd’s attitude change?
- How does empathy alter public discourse?

A Different Perspective

Crowd sentiment can be volatile and unpredictable.

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[Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Seriousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seriousness/) [Sympathetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sympathetic/)

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