An Army is a collection of armed men obliged to obey one man. Every change in the rules which impairs the principle weakens the army.
William Tecumseh ShermanRead
The voice of the people is the voice of humbug.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that the opinions of the majority may often be misguided or insincere.
William Tecumseh Sherman’s quote reflects a skepticism towards public opinion, indicating that what the majority believes is not always truthful or meaningful. It emphasizes the idea that collective viewpoints can often be driven by hypocrisy or superficiality rather than genuine understanding or insight.
Themes
Public OpinionHypocrisyMajorityTruthSincerity
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about social issues, one might use this quote to argue against following popular but flawed opinions.
More from William Tecumseh Sherman
All quotes →Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
William Tecumseh ShermanRead
I think I understand what military fame is; to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers.
William Tecumseh ShermanRead
The young bloods of the South: sons of planters, lawyers about towns, good billiard-players and sportsmen, men who never did any work and never will... They are splendid riders, first-rate shots and utterly reckless. These men must all be killed or employed by us before we can hope for peace.
William Tecumseh ShermanRead
You people of the South don't know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood, and God only knows how it will end. It is all folly, madness, a crime against civilization! You people speak so lightly of war; you don't know what you're talking about.
William Tecumseh ShermanRead
War is too serious a matter to leave to soldiers.
William Tecumseh ShermanRead
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