Agreement Quote by William Golding
“A crowd of grade-three thinkers, all shouting the same thing, all warming their hands at the fire of their own prejudices, will not thank you for pointing out the contradictions in their beliefs. Man is a gregarious animal, and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way on the side of a hill.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, 1954
People cling to shared beliefs and resist contradictions, preferring comfortable consensus over uncomfortable truth.
In simple terms: People avoid challenges to their views and like agreement.
Key Takeaway
Encourage critical thinking and respectful debate.
Themes
conformity
prejudice
groupthink
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
social commentary
literary
When to use this quote
- classroom discussions
- team meetings
- public policy debates
- family conversations
Key Concepts
social psychology
cognitive bias
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you foster openness to contradictory ideas?
- What strategies reduce the need for unanimous agreement?
A Different Perspective
Resistance may stem from fear of social exclusion or identity threat.
