Bidding Quote by Gustave Le Bon
“At the bidding of a Peter the Hermit millions of men hurled themselves against the East; the words of an hallucinated enthusiast such as Mahomet created a force capable of triumphing over the Graeco-Roman world; an obscure monk like Luther bathed Europe in blood. The voice of a Galileo or a Newton will never have the least echo among the masses. The inventors of genius hasten the march of civilization. The fanatics and the hallucinated create history.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of Crowds, 1895
Mass movements are driven by charismatic leaders, religious fervor, and revolutionary ideas, while scientific voices often remain unheard.
In simple terms: Fans and fan, shape history; scientists are ignored.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of charismatic influence.
Themes
history
leadership
mass psychology
science
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political campaigning
- social movements
- educational reform
Key Concepts
crowd dynamics
charisma
religion
revolutionary thought
Questions to Reflect On
- How can rational discourse gain traction in mass movements?
- What safeguards protect societies from charismatic manipulation?
A Different Perspective
Scientific ideas may be marginalized despite merit.
![“To the Jacobins of this epoch [the French Revolution], as well as to those of our times, this popular entity constitutes a superior personality possessing attributes peculiar to the gods of never having to answer for their actions and never making a mistake. Their wishes must be humbly acceded to…” quote by Gustave Le Bon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb6/gustave-le-bon-10163_character_to-the-jacobins-of-this-epoch-the-french_220492.jpg)
![“No theory is too false, no fable too absurd, no superstition too degrading for acceptance when it has become embedded in common belief. Men will submit themselves to torture and to death, mothers will immolate [burn] their children at the bidding of beliefs they thus accept.” quote by Henry George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68e/henry-george-8103_absurd_no-theory-is-too-false-no-fable-too-absu_70212.jpg)
