Quote by Andrew Fletcher, Conversation Co
If a man were permitted to make all the ballads, he need not care who should make the laws of a nation.
Summary
This quote suggests that the power of storytelling and the influence it holds over people's minds surpasses the significance of creating laws. It implies that songs and ballads have such a profound impact on society that whoever has control over their creation and dissemination ultimately has the power to shape public opinion and, in turn, govern a nation. The quote emphasizes the idea that cultural narratives and collective imagination can hold more sway over people's beliefs and actions than formal legislation.