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The fact that a great many people believe something is no guarantee of its truth.
W. Somerset Maugham
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Popularity does not determine the validity of an idea or belief.

This quote suggests that the mere belief of a large number of people in an idea does not necessarily make that idea true or valid. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and questioning widely held beliefs instead of accepting them just because they are popular.

Themes

TruthBeliefPhilosophyCritical ThinkingPopularity

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate about social issues, this quote can be used to remind people to question popular opinions.

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The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
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There in the mist, enormous, majestic, silent and terrible, stood the Great Wall of China. Solitarily, with the indifference of nature herself, it crept up the mountain side and slipped down to the depth of the valley.
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