Dare Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
“Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see but few can test by feeling. Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are; and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Prince, 1513
People tend to judge others by appearances rather than deeper character, leading to superficial judgments and reluctance to oppose popular opinion.
In simple terms: Judgments rely on sight over touch, causing shallow assessments and fear of dissent.
Key Takeaway
Challenge superficial judgments and value deeper understanding.
Themes
perception
judgment
conformity
authenticity
courage
Mood
cautious
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- Leadership decisions
- personal relationships
- media analysis
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
Political philosophy
human nature
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of judging by appearances?
- How can one cultivate deeper insight?
A Different Perspective
The view may ignore contexts where intuition (touch) is vital.
