If by the people you understand the multitude,
the hoi polloi, 'tis no matter what they think; they are sometimes in the right, sometimes in
the wrong: their judgement is a mere lottery.

John Dryden

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More information about this quote

Topic

The masses

Author

John Dryden

Source

An Essay of Dramatic Poesy

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1668 1660s 17th century

Occupation

Poet Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Dryden, John. An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. London: Henry Herringman, 1668.

Current Citation

John Dryden. "An Essay of Dramatic Poesie." John Dryden: Selected Writings, edited by Steven N. Zwicker. Oxford University Press, 2020.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “If by the people you understand the multitude, the hoi polloi, 'tis no matter…”
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A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “If by the people you understand the multitude, the hoi polloi, 'tis no matter…”
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A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “If by the people you understand the multitude, the hoi polloi, 'tis no matter…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1660s

God is, or He is not. But to which side shall we incline? Reason can decide nothing here. There is an infinite chaos which separates us. A game is being played at the extremity of this infinite distance where heads or tails will turn up. What will you wager?... If you win, you win everything; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation that He is.

Blaise Pascal

Pensées

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Read Pensees at Project Gutenberg
More information about this quote
Topic
Existence of God God Probability

Author

Blaise Pascal
Source
Pensées
Medium
Epigram
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
French
Time
1662 1660s 17th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Pascal, Blaise. Pensées [Thoughts]. Paris: Chez G. Desprez, 1670, no. 229.

Current Citation

Pascal, Blaise. "Pensées." Pensées and Other Writings, edited by Anthony Levi, translated by Honor Levi. Oxford University Press, 2008, no. 229.

Another quote about The masses

Only two things does he anxiously wish for-bread and circuses.

Juvenal

Satires

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More information about this quote
Topic
The masses Entertainment Purpose of life Decline of civilization

Author

Juvenal
Source
Satires
Medium
Poem
Language
Latin
Time
127 120s 2nd century
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 1
Original Citation

Juvenal. Satirae [Satires]. c. 127, satire 10.

Current Citation

Juvenal. The Satires, translated by Niall Rudd. Oxford University Press, 2008, satire 10.