--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever masses of people, especially…" description: "\"Whenever masses of people, especially educated people, know something - and when what they know is something they greatly fear because they believe it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/thomas-szasz-3801_believe_whenever-masses-of-people-especially-edu_2144947.jpg" --- # Whenever masses of people, especially educated people… ![“Whenever masses of people, especially educated people, know something - and when what they know is something they greatly fear because they believe it affects virtually everything they do or want to do - then most likely we stand in the presence of a vast falsehood.” quote by Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/thomas-szasz-3801_believe_whenever-masses-of-people-especially-edu_2144947.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/thomas-szasz-3801_believe_whenever-masses-of-people-especially-edu_2144947.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c5/thomas-szasz-3801_believe_whenever-masses-of-people-especially-edu_2144947.jpg) > “Whenever masses of people, especially educated people, know something - and when what they know is something they greatly fear because they believe it affects virtually everything they do or want to do - then most likely we stand in the presence of a vast falsehood.” [Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-szasz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When educated masses fear a truth that seems to dominate all aspects of life, it often signals a widespread falsehood. **In simple terms:** Fear of pervasive truth may hide a falsehood. Key Takeaway Question the assumed truth. Themes fear knowledge truth mass perception Mood anxious critical Type philosophical skeptical When to use this quote - political discourse - media consumption - public policy - education - personal belief Key Concepts philosophy psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What truths do you accept without scrutiny? - How does fear shape collective belief? A Different Perspective Falsehoods can persist despite evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Educated people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educated-people/) [Falsehood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falsehood/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [Christian, let God's distinguishing love to you be a motive to you to fear Him greatly. He has put His fear in your heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/christian-let-god-s-distinguishing-love-to-you-be-a-motive-to-you-to/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [I think whatever you believe in affects whatever you express, whatever you create. It shapes your morality in some way. 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