Quotes About Majority

Hierarchy can work, except when those in leadership positions hold power over others—when their decisions benefit the minority and oppress the majority.

Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men.

There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men. When the majority shall at length vote for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left to be abolished by their vote. They will then be the only slaves.

I cast my vote, perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail. I am willing to leave it to the majority. Its obli­gation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency. Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. 

la raison pratique pour laquelle, une fois le pouvoir échu aux mains du peuple, une majorité reçoit la permission de régner, et continue de la détenir pour une longue période, ce n'est pas parce qu'elle court plus de risques d'avoir raison, ni parce que cela semble plus juste à la majorité, mais parce qu'elle est physiquement la plus forte.

Una Minoranza che si conformi alla maggioranza è senza forza, non è neppure più una minoranza; ma diventa irresistibile quando si oppone con tutto il suo peso.

But a government in which the majority rule in all cases can not be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.

Même lorsque vous votez pour la justice, vous ne faites rien pour elle. Vous ne faites qu'exprimer faiblement aux hommes votre désir de la voir l'emporter. Le sage ne doit pas laisser la justice à la merci du hasard ni souhaiter qu'elle l'emporte grâce au pouvoir de la la majorité. P.13

Même lorsque vous votez pour la justice, vous ne faites rien pour elle. Vous ne faites qu'exprimer faiblement aux hommes votre désir de la voir l'emporter. Le sage ne doit pas laisser la justice à la merci du hasard ni souhaiter qu'elle l'emporte grâce au pouvoir de la majorité. P.13

En général, les hommes, sous un gouvernement comme le nôtre, croient de leur devoir d'attendre que la majorité se soit rendue à leurs raisons. Ils croient que s'ils résistaient, le remède serait pire que le mal ; mais si le remède se révèle pire que le mal, c'est bien la faute du gouvernement. C'est lui le responsable.

Un uomo saggio non lascia il giusto alla mercé del caso né desidera che esso si affermi attraverso il potere della maggioranza.

All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong, with moral questions; and betting naturally accompanies it. The character of the voters is not staked. I cast my vote, perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail. I am willing to leave it to the majority. Its obligation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency.

La inmensa mayoría son hombres de sociedad. Viven en la superficie, les interesa lo transitorio y lo breve. Son como madera de deriva en al riada. Sólo piden las novedades: la espuma y la cochambre del mar eterno.

Can there not be a government in which the majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?

En todos los países, el interés de la inmensa mayoría de la población es y debe ser siempre comprar lo que necesita a quien vende más barato.»

I reflected acutely that the sense of such differences, such superiorities of quality, always, on the part of the majority—which could include even stupid, sordid headmasters—turn infallibly to the vindictive.

There are those of poor spirit and there are those of great spirit. None are without it but the flame flickers pretty low in some cases. The majority of people seem to be nothing but a little flickering flame. You know that when you match them against an individual who is all fire, all radiance. Those in whom the flame of the spirit runs high are extraordinary examples of human beings.

So, yes, we do celebrate America today because the majority will stand up and empower the American people to live that American Dream and to be part of making a better, freer, and safer world.

The principles governing Western democracies, of which Israel rightly considers itself a part, are based on the assurance that everyone has a vote, but also that the minority needs to yield to the wishes of the majority.

The majority of everything has always been judged and manipulated by and on a minority's deeds

In our so-called democracy we are accustomed to give the majority what they want rather than educate them to understand what is best for them.

The majority of Aboriginals do not want handouts because they realise that welfare is killing them.

I am sure the majority of Iranians want a peace agreement with Israel and want Iran to integrate with the international community and accept its universal values.

Doubts raced through my mind as I considered the feasibility of enforcing a law which the majority of honest citizens didn't seem to want.