"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain
What are your thoughts on this quote? What do you think it means? Best answer gets 10 pts!
2006-09-27 12:34:11 · 12 answers · asked by sparkzxx 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
In my opinion it is saying... be true to yourself. If you find that you agree with most people, you need to stop and think. Why? Because you need to know if you just got caught up in going with the flow or if that's how you really feel. And then... I can look at it as a reminder to play devil's advocate. Just because most agree with it doesn't mean that it is right. You need to look at the other side of the situation and re-evaluate just to make sure that you are not missing somethng valuable. Don't be afraid to be a rebel.
2006-09-27 16:55:41 · answer #1 · answered by prezidentcuteone 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many of us like to think of ourselves as individuals, unique and a free spirit. We're told by society to swim against the tide, go against the flow and when we conform to society it means we submit to society. Its with these thoughts as a backdrop that I submit to you my thoughts on this quote.
Basically it means that if a person reaches a point in life when he/she falls into the majority, if we are a part of the group that agrees with the most on a topic, then we better re-examine our position because we're going against all that makes us an individuals. We need to look at our position again before we continue.
Many call being on the side of the majority "being an adult". Others call being on the side of the majority "being a sell-out".
TX Guy
2006-09-27 12:45:50 · answer #2 · answered by txguy8800 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that you are not being true to yourself - you are not being a leader and are instead settling for being a follower. If you choose to settle into conformity - you are not challenging yourself - your mind, spirit and heart - you are not reaching your true potential and living your dreams - you are not living life therefore - you are settling to merely exist.
So - the pause and reflect part would be to think about this - that choice to just become another conformist - to not be an individual and live the one life that we have to live like it is our last - you are not seizing the day - so he is asking people to question that - and not to settle for that.
2006-09-27 12:38:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you have to analyze your decision. You might gone to the side of the majority 'coz you believe in the common addage "majority wins." It's not always the case that majority wins. Maybe they're afraid to go on the opposite side coz of the penalty that awaits them. Be brave enough to face the consequences that results from being true to yourself....for being honest
2006-09-27 19:21:39 · answer #4 · answered by yeday 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that this quote means that when youre on the majority side, youre probably siding with them because its whatever one else is doing. and you should take the time to think about the choice instead of immediately choosing the most popular. That side might be wrong.
2006-09-27 14:42:25 · answer #5 · answered by gee; thanks 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reflect whenever.
2017-03-16 05:06:20 · answer #6 · answered by ShayOpal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that you need to ensure that what the masses are doing or thinking is what you truly believe, and that you are not just going along with everyone because it is easy. You need to stop and think about what you truly believe, and do that, even if it means going against the masses or not.
2006-09-27 12:49:31 · answer #7 · answered by harold p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means people acting like sheep, going along with the others without thinking--what's happened in the U.S. these past few years.
2006-09-27 13:33:29 · answer #8 · answered by beez 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe when you get to the point that you are no longer nothing, that you have become something in the eyes of the people, that you just need to take some time and look over how you got to that point.
2006-09-27 14:05:22 · answer #9 · answered by Loved By Someone Above 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you should question why you are agreeing with everyone else -- just because it seems to be the thing to do, or because in your heart, you truly feel that way?
2006-09-27 12:36:41 · answer #10 · answered by bibliophile31 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋