The masses are by no means so foolish or unintelligent as we sometimes imagine. They often perceive things with their intuition, which we ourselves fail to see with our intellect. But whilst the masses know what they want, they often do not know how to express their wants and, less often, how to get what they want.
 Mahatma Gandhi, Freedom's Battle Being a Comprehensive Collection of Writings and Speeches on the Present Situation (1922). copy citation

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Author Mahatma Gandhi
Source Freedom's Battle Being a Comprehensive Collection of Writings and Speeches on the Present Situation
Topic intuition masses
Date 1922
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10366/10366-h/10366-h.htm

Context

“It would be equally a mistake to suppose that this awakening amongst the masses is due either to the activity of the Ali Brothers or myself. For the time being we have the ear of the masses because we voice their sentiments. The masses are by no means so foolish or unintelligent as we sometimes imagine. They often perceive things with their intuition, which we ourselves fail to see with our intellect. But whilst the masses know what they want, they often do not know how to express their wants and, less often, how to get what they want. Herein comes the use of leadership, and disastrous results can easily follow a bad, hasty, or what is worse, selfish lead. The first part of the proposed creed expresses the present desire of the nation, and the second shows the way that desire can be fulfilled.” source