“ Those who wish to gain the public ear should bear in mind that people do not generally want to be made less foolish or less wicked. ”
Samuel Butler, The Note-Books of Samuel Butler (1912). copy citation
| Author | Samuel Butler |
|---|---|
| Source | The Note-Books of Samuel Butler |
| Topic | mind public |
| Date | 1912 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6173/6173-h/6173-h.htm |
Context
“So the universe, which looks so big, may be supposed as really all parcelled out among the stars that stud it.
Or the public ear is like a common; there is not much to be got off it, but that little is for the most part grazed down by geese and donkeys.
Those who wish to gain the public ear should bear in mind that people do not generally want to be made less foolish or less wicked. What they want is to be told that they are not foolish and not wicked. Now it is only a fool or a liar or both who can tell them this; the masses therefore cannot be expected to like any but fools or liars or both.”
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