Applause Quote by Plato
“There are some whom the applause of the multitude has deluded into the belief that they are really statesmen.”
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: The Republic, Book VII, Plato, c. 380 BC
People can be fooled by popular approval into believing they are genuine leaders.
In simple terms: Applause can mask true leadership.
Key Takeaway
Seek substance over popularity.
Themes
leadership
illusion
public opinion
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- elections
- social media influence
- celebrity culture
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria define a true statesman?
- How does crowd approval distort self‑perception?
A Different Perspective
Popularity does not guarantee competence.
![“All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was [Offers bored applause.] After the show aired? I came out - "Rob Lowe!" - and the place was, like, bedlam. And then the next week, they wouldn't let anyone under the age of 20 into the audience. And I'm going, "So that's…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66b/rob-lowe-855_age_all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d_31307.jpg)
