Abyss Quote by H. L. Mencken
“Every step in human progress, from the first feeble stirrings in the abyss of time, has been opposed by the great majority of men. Every valuable thing that has been added to the store of man's possessions has been derided by them when it was new, and destroyed by them when they had the power. They have fought every new truth ever heard of, and they have killed every truth-seeker who got into their hands.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The American Spirit, 1917
Observes that new ideas are often resisted by the majority, who may destroy or ridicule innovations.
In simple terms: New ideas face opposition from most people.
Key Takeaway
Persist despite majority resistance to innovation.
Themes
innovation
resistance
history
Mood
skeptical
encouraging
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- technological adoption
- cultural shifts
Key Concepts
social dynamics
conformity
progress
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people resist novelty?
- How can innovators overcome societal pushback?
A Different Perspective
Majority opposition can stall beneficial change.
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
