---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Both in individuals and in masses violent…"
description: "\"Both in individuals and in masses violent excitement is always followed by remission, and often by reaction. We are all inclined to depreciate whatever..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/911/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_depreciate_both-in-individuals-and-in-masses-violen_2476917.png"
---

#  Both in individuals and in masses violent excitement is…

![“Both in individuals and in masses violent excitement is always followed by remission, and often by reaction. We are all inclined to depreciate whatever we have overpraised, and, on the other hand, to show undue indulgence where we have shown undue rigor.” quote by Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/911/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_depreciate_both-in-individuals-and-in-masses-violen_2476917.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/911/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_depreciate_both-in-individuals-and-in-masses-violen_2476917.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/911/thomas-b-macaulay-1980_depreciate_both-in-individuals-and-in-masses-violen_2476917.png)

> “Both in individuals and in masses violent excitement is always followed by remission, and often by reaction. We are all inclined to depreciate whatever we have overpraised, and, on the other hand, to show undue indulgence where we have shown undue rigor.”

[Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-b-macaulay/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Violent excitement leads to a calming period, then often a backlash, and people tend to undervalue what they praised and overvalue what they criticized.

**In simple terms:** Excitement fades, then reactions follow; praise turns to criticism and vice versa.

Key Takeaway

Beware of overreacting after hype.

Themes

psychology reaction valuation history

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

- political movements
- stock market bubbles
- personal relationships
- public opinion

Key Concepts

Cycle of enthusiasm and disillusionment biases in judgment

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance enthusiasm and criticism?
- When does reaction become counterproductive?

A Different Perspective

The pattern may not apply to all events, especially those with lasting impact.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Depreciate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depreciate/) [Depreciate Overpraised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depreciate-overpraised-821362/) [Excitement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excitement/) [Extremes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulgence/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Reaction Inclined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction-inclined-821363/) [Reactions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reactions/) [Remission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remission/) [Rigor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigor/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Undue Indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undue-indulgence-821364/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) [Violent Excitement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent-excitement-577281/)

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## More by Thomas B. Macaulay

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