Quote by G. W. F. Hegel

Public opinion contains all kinds of falsity and truth, but it takes a great man to find the truth in it. The great man of the age is the one who can put into words the will of his age, tell his age what its will is, and accomplish it. What he does is the heart and the essence of his age, he actualizes his age. The man who lacks sense enough to despise public opinion expressed in gossip will never do anything great.

Public opinion contains all kinds of falsity and truth, but

Summary

This quote suggests that public opinion is a mix of both truths and falsehoods. However, it takes a truly remarkable individual to sift through the noise and identify the genuine truths within it. The "great man" of the era is someone who understands the desires and aspirations of their time, articulates them effectively, and works towards their fulfillment. They embody the spirit and purpose of their era, thereby shaping it. The quote implies that those who disregard public opinion, particularly when expressed through gossip, lack the wisdom needed to achieve greatness.

Topics

Opinion

By G. W. F. Hegel

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