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

Read An Essay of Dramatic Poesy at Project Gutenberg

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

Of Man's First Disobedience, and the fruit
Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste
Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
Sing, Heav'nly Muse.

John Milton

Paradise Lost

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Read Paradise Lost at Project Gutenberg
More information about this quote
Topic
Original sin Fallen world

Author

John Milton
Source
Paradise Lost
Medium
Poem
Genre
Epic poem Religious literature
Statement Type
Opening lines
Language
English
Time
1667 1660s 17th century
Era
European Renaissance
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Milton, John. Paradise Lost. London: Samuel Simmons, 1667, bk. 1, l. 1.

Current Citation

"Paradise Lost." John Milton: Major Works, edited by Stephen Orgel and Jonathan Goldberg. Oxford University Press, 2008, bk. 1, l. 1.

Another quote about The masses

He’s loved of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes.

William Shakespeare

Hamlet

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Read Hamlet at The Folger Shakespeare Library
More information about this quote
Topic
The masses Public opinion
Speaker
King Claudius

Author

William Shakespeare
Source
Hamlet
Medium
Play
Genre
Tragedy (play)
Language
English
Time
1616 1610s 17th century
Era
European Renaissance
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 4, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 3.