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

May 18, 2025
The believer is happy; the doubter is wise.
March 27, 2025
[On David Steel, Leader of the Liberal Party] He’s passed from rising hope to elder statesman without any intervening period whatsoever.
April 3, 2025
The Press, my Lords, is one of our great out-sentries; if we remove it, if we hoodwink it
Page 61 of 63