Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.
Samuel ButlerRead
There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that ignorance is more common than deceit, as the deceitful rely on the foolish for their sustenance.
Samuel Butler's quote reflects the idea that there is a greater abundance of naive and foolish individuals in society compared to those who are cunning or deceitful. It implies that if there were not so many fools, the knaves—those who deceive for their benefit—would struggle to thrive, highlighting a tragic truth about human nature and social dynamics.
Themes
FoolsKnavesIgnoranceDeceitHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about ethics and morality in society, one might use this quote to emphasize the prevalence of ignorance.
More from Samuel Butler
All quotes →To know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should ever know him at all. I know not which is more childish to deny him, or define him.
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Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely reach them.
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An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
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Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.
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People care more about being thought to have taste than about being thought either good, clever or amiable.
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