“it is a most important social act; nay, at bottom, the one important social act. Given the men a People choose, the People itself, in its exact worth and worthlessness, is given. A heroic people chooses heroes, and is happy; a valet or flunkey people chooses sham-heroes, what are called quacks, thinking them heroes, and is not happy.”

— Thomas Carlyle

1840s, Past and Present (1843)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Thomas Carlyle 481

Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian… 1795–1881

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