Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear.

Summary

This quote suggests that fear has the capacity to cloud judgment and compromise rationality, regardless of the scale of its impact on individuals or societies. It implies that both individuals and groups are susceptible to acting inhumane or irrational ways when overwhelmed by fear. The quote emphasizes the fragility of human behavior and suggests that fear can override our better instincts, leading to unpredictable and potentially harmful outcomes.

Topics