Quotes Library

November 30, 2025

Democracy encourages the majority to decide things about which the majority is blissfully ignorant.

John Simon (1925–2019), American author and critic, The Portable Curmudgeon, Jon Winokur, ed. (New York: 1987), p.84

Is this the essential weakness of democracy? Do you now understand your purpose in life (political life, that is)?

The truth is that the vast majority of the majority of people don’t give a fig about the things you decide, unless and until it impacts them in some negative way, at which point you will be entirely to blame, even if you voted “No” on the matter.


More Quotes

September 4, 2025
I’ll tell you what’s at the bottom of it. If you can convince the lowest white man that he’s better than the best coloured man
June 19, 2025
A liar needs a good memory.
May 14, 2025
Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.
Page 62 of 123