When an opinion has taken root in a democracy and established itself in the minds of the majority, if afterward persists by itself, needing no effort to maintain it since no one attacks it. Those who at first rejected it as false come in the end to adopt it as accepted, and even those who still at the bottom of their hearts oppose it keep their views to themselves, taking great care to avoid a dangerous and futile contest.

Summary

This quote suggests that in a democracy, when a certain opinion becomes widely accepted by the majority, it can gain a strong hold and continue to prevail over time without any efforts to defend or promote it. Those who initially disagreed with this opinion may ultimately conform to it due to the general acceptance. Even those who privately oppose it may choose to remain silent, avoiding any potentially futile and risky confrontation. This highlights the power of conformity and the potential suppression of differing perspectives in a democratic society.

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