--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The meanest inhabitants by their constant…" description: "\"The meanest inhabitants by their constant attendance generally form the majority and outvote the gentlemen, merchants and all the better Inhabitants!\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg" --- # The meanest inhabitants by their constant attendance… ![“The meanest inhabitants by their constant attendance generally form the majority and outvote the gentlemen, merchants and all the better Inhabitants!” quote by William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg) > “The meanest inhabitants by their constant attendance generally form the majority and outvote the gentlemen, merchants and all the better Inhabitants!” [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The majority, often less educated, can dominate decisions over more refined groups through sheer numbers. **In simple terms:** Many people can outvote the elite. Key Takeaway Recognize the power of numbers in decision‑making. Themes democracy majority rule social dynamics Mood cautious analytical Type political observational When to use this quote - elections - community meetings - board votes - public referenda Key Concepts political theory collective behavior Questions to Reflect On - How does education affect voting power? - Can minority voices be amplified? A Different Perspective The elite may still influence outcomes through persuasion or institutional control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes the idiots outvote the sensible people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/sometimes-the-idiots-outvote-the-sensible-people/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [“...that the husband should be the one in constant attendance. Because of his love relationship with his wife, he is far more capable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-bradley/that-the-husband-should-be-the-one-in-constant-attendance-because-of/) [Robert A. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-bradley/) > [But there were some things I believed in. Some things I had faith in. And faith isn't about perfect attendance to services, or how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/but-there-were-some-things-i-believed-in-some-things-i-had-faith-in/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [The number of opera houses around the world and the high attendance rates show that opera an art form that is more popular than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-beresford/the-number-of-opera-houses-around-the-world-and-the-high-attendance/) [Bruce Beresford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-beresford/) > [Broadway shows in New York draw two times the attendance of all New York sports teams put together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lahr/broadway-shows-in-new-york-draw-two-times-the-attendance-of-all-new/) [John Lahr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lahr/) > [It's great to see the World Rowing Championships returning to U.S. soil for the first time in 25 years. I am even more excited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-young/it-s-great-to-see-the-world-rowing-championships-returning-to-u-s/) [Stephen Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-young/) > [After a child has arrived at the legal age for attending school,-whether he be the child of noble or of peasant,-the only two absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/after-a-child-has-arrived-at-the-legal-age-for-attending-school/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [If Facebook was school I swear I'd have perfect attendance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-facebook-was-school-i-swear-i-d-have-perfect-attendance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A lovely nook of forest scenery, or a grand rock, like a beautiful woman, depends for much of its attractiveness upon the attendance sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/a-lovely-nook-of-forest-scenery-or-a-grand-rock-like-a-beautiful/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [What is the biggest benefit of having a Girlfriend or Boyfriend in the same school where you study? - '100 PERCENT ATTENDANCE'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/what-is-the-biggest-benefit-of-having-a-girlfriend-or-boyfriend-in/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Upon arriving, meeting their teachers and signing up for classes, these students began to realize that their attendance at Delaware State University was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-n-castle/upon-arriving-meeting-their-teachers-and-signing-up-for-classes-these/) [Michael N. Castle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-n-castle/) > [My mother attended the local church, Saint Nicolas, and consequently, I attended that church and its Sunday School. My only prizes from the Sunday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-smith/my-mother-attended-the-local-church-saint-nicolas-and-consequently-i/) [Michael Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-smith/) > [While attendance at traditional churches has been declining for decades... the evangelical movement is growing, and it is changing the way America worships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/while-attendance-at-traditional-churches-has-been-declining-for/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [Our large trading cities bear to me very nearly the aspect of monastic establishments in which the roar of the mill-wheel and the crane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/our-large-trading-cities-bear-to-me-very-nearly-the-aspect-of/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [To a large extent, the American church has become merged with the world. It has adopted so many of the world's ideals and standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-a-large-extent-the-american-church-has-become-merged-with-the/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## More by William Shirley > [I am of opinion that it is highly requisite forthwith to pass a law, prohibiting upon great penalties all trade with our enemies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/i-am-of-opinion-that-it-is-highly-requisite-forthwith-to-pass-a-law/) [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) > [Images have a unique power to impart that which is beyond words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/images-have-a-unique-power-to-impart-that-which-is-beyond-words/) [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) > [I don't flatter myself with much dependence upon the present disposition of the Eastern Indians, who are many ways liable to be drawn into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/i-don-t-flatter-myself-with-much-dependence-upon-the-present/) [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) > [My purpose is to inspire people of all walks of life to discover the virtue inherent within them and to bring forth that virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/my-purpose-is-to-inspire-people-of-all-walks-of-life-to-discover-the/) [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) > [Words alone cannot fully convey the realities of the soul or the greatness of the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/words-alone-cannot-fully-convey-the-realities-of-the-soul-or-the/) [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) > [Images adorn our inner life and carry great power there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/images-adorn-our-inner-life-and-carry-great-power-there/) [William Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) [Explore all 7 William Shirley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/) ## More American revolution quotes > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [“Patriotism is a fierce love for the nation’s soul - its land, its people, its core, coupled with a burning contempt for a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/njau-kihia/patriotism-is-a-fierce-love-for-the-nation-s-soul-its-land-its-people/) Njau Kihia > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [The shot heard round the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-shot-heard-round-the-world/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Socially, politically, economically, militarily, culturally, racially, sexually, demographically, even mythologically, World War II was the crucible that forged modern America. It was the transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haynes-johnson/socially-politically-economically-militarily-culturally-racially/) Haynes Johnson > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“There were counter-protests, of course, and in the end Mapplethorpe’s work was exhibited, but the message to the arts community was clear: stray too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-were-counter-protests-of-course-and-in-the-end-mapplethorpe-s/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Wyoming got an Algonquian name from Pennsylvania meaning “large prairie,” but the adoption came only after a long fight. Decades before the settling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/wyoming-got-an-algonquian-name-from-pennsylvania-meaning-large/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Obama is now fighting for his life. He's fighting for a federal government. I believe in a federal government. I hope it sticks around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/obama-is-now-fighting-for-his-life-he-s-fighting-for-a-federal/) [Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/) > [But I'm a daughter of the American revolution, my grandpa fought in World War II, I have lots of family members who were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/but-i-m-a-daughter-of-the-american-revolution-my-grandpa-fought-in/) [Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/) > [ “The important point of this report \[Montague, Massachusetts; July 7, 1774\] may be summed up in six resolutions: 1. We approve of the plan… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-pearson-pressey/the-important-point-of-this-report-montague-massachusetts-july-7-1774/) [Edward Pearson Pressey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-pearson-pressey/) [Browse all 329 American revolution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The meanest inhabitants by their constant attendance generally form the majority and outvote the gentlemen, merchants and all the better Inhabitants!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Shirley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constant-attendance-generally-form/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American revolution" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constant-attendance-generally-form/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/william-shirley-50717_american-revolution_the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constan_873457.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The meanest inhabitants by their constant attendance generally form the majority and outvote the gentlemen…” — William Shirley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William Shirley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shirley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The meanest inhabitants by their constant...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constant-attendance-generally-form/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shirley/the-meanest-inhabitants-by-their-constant-attendance-generally-form/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```