Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that most people are easily influenced by superficial impressions rather than deeper truths.
Machiavelli highlights the tendency of the majority, referred to as the 'vulgar crowd', to base their judgments on external appearances rather than understanding the underlying realities. He implies that societal norms and popular opinion are often driven by this superficial understanding, indicating a lack of critical thought among the masses. This observation raises questions about the nature of perception and the role of appearances in influencing public opinion and decision-making.
Themes
AppearancesVulgarityPerceptionCrowdOpinion
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social media's influence on public opinion, you might quote this to emphasize the importance of critical thinking.
More from Niccolo Machiavelli
All quotes βFor that reason, let a prince have the credit of conquering and holding his state, the means will always be considered honest, and he will be praised by everybody because the vulgar are always taken by what a thing seems to be and by what comes of it; and in the world there are only the vulgar, for the few find a place there only when the many have no ground to rest on.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about his own ruin than his preservation.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and so, as I said above, if a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good; because whenever that group which you believe you need to support you is corrupted, whether it be the common people, the soldiers, or the nobles, it is to your advantage to follow their inclinations in order to satisfy them; and then good actions are your enemy.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
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