--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is doubtless true that the masses have…" description: "\"“It is doubtless true that the masses have always been led in one way or another, and it could be said that their part in history consists primarily in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/ren-gu-non-14100_history_it-is-doubtless-true-that-the-masses-hav_1828938.jpg" --- # It is doubtless true that the masses have always been led… ![“It is doubtless true that the masses have always been led in one way or another, and it could be said that their part in history consists primarily in allowing themselves to be led, since they represent a predominantly passive element, a materia in the Aristotelian sense of the word; but in order…” quote by René Guénon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/ren-gu-non-14100_history_it-is-doubtless-true-that-the-masses-hav_1828938.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/ren-gu-non-14100_history_it-is-doubtless-true-that-the-masses-hav_1828938.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/ren-gu-non-14100_history_it-is-doubtless-true-that-the-masses-hav_1828938.jpg) > ““It is doubtless true that the masses have always been led in one way or another, and it could be said that their part in history consists primarily in allowing themselves to be led, since they represent a predominantly passive element, a materia in the Aristotelian sense of the word; but in order to lead them today it is sufficient to possess oneself of purely material means, taking the word matter this time in its ordinary sense, and this clearly shows to what depths the present age has sunk; and at the same time these same masses are made to believe that they are not being led, but that they are acting spontaneously and governing themselves, and the fact that they believe this to be true gives an idea of the extent of their unintelligence.”” [René Guénon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-gu-non/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Masses are passive, easily manipulated by material power, believing they act freely while actually being guided. **In simple terms:** People think they act freely but are often controlled by material forces. Key Takeaway Question authority and seek deeper understanding. Themes power manipulation freedom ignorance Mood critical provocative Type political philosophical When to use this quote - political campaigns - advertising - education curricula - social media consumption Key Concepts critical theory social control philosophy of history Questions to Reflect On - What evidence shows people exercising genuine agency? - How can critical thinking be fostered? 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