Approval Quote by James Lee Burke
“Hackberry Holland's greatest fear was his fellow man's propensity to act collectively, in militaristic lockstep, under the banner of God and country. Mobs did not rush across town to do good deeds, and in Hackberry's view, there was no more odious taint on any social or political endeavor than universal approval.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown, 2009
The quote warns that mass conformity under religious or national banners can mask evil, and that universal approval often hides harmful actions.
In simple terms: Blind group loyalty can hide wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek individual moral judgment.
Themes
conformity
power
morality
collectivism
religion
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
warning
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political rallies
- religious gatherings
- corporate decisions
- community projects
- military orders
Key Concepts
social psychology
authoritarianism
ethical skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you accept group decisions without critique?
- How can societies encourage dissent?
A Different Perspective
Blind obedience can lead to atrocities despite popular support.
![“But the participants [in war] never forgot the details of their experience, and like the Wandering Jew, they were condemned to remain their own history books, each containing a story they could not pass on to others and from which no one would learn anything of value.” quote by James Lee Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/320/james-lee-burke-2289_book_but-the-participants-in-war-never-forgot_31146.jpg)
