Quotes Library

January 30, 2025

When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong. The minority are right.

Eugene Debs (1855-1926), founder of the Socialist Party of America, Speeches (1928), Jay p.111

Are you ever part of this minority? Or are you usually—with the majority—on the wrong side of historical change? Or great principles? Recall three times you missed a chance to be with a minority that was right in the end?

Of course, because only a minority can see and appreciate the future at any one time, and never with complete accuracy. For the majority to change course, even when great changes are afoot all around, is as difficult as turning an ocean liner in mid-channel.


More Quotes

April 28, 2025
We hope that the world will not narrow into a neighbourhood before it has broadened into a brotherhood.
June 21, 2025
As with sailing, so with politics: make your cloth too taut and the ship will dip and keel
June 13, 2025
You cannot fight against the future. Time is on our side.
Page 5 of 123