The Crowd; study of the popular mind

“The decisions with which we have been so reproached,” he says, “Were not disired by us two days, a single day before they were taken: it was the crisis and nothing else that gave rise to them.” Nothing can be more accurate.

When parliamentary assemblies reach a certain pitch of excitement they become identical with ordinary heterogeneous crowds, and their sentiments in consequence present the peculiarity of being always extreme

Crowds instinctively recognise in men of energy and conviction the masters they are always in need of.

this peculiar style of eloquence has ever been of sovereign effect in all assemblies. In times of crisis its power is still further accentuated.

The affirmation is never too violent, the declamation never too threatening.

It is all to the interest of the leaders to indulge in the most improbable exaggerations.

should be aware, in particular, of the fascinating influence of words, phrases, and images

As soon as the danger was passed the parliamentary world forgot in the same instant its gratitude and its fright.”

soon as the danger was passed the parliamentary world forgot in the same instant its gratitude and its fright.”

Men forming a crowd cannot do without a master, whence it results that the votes of an assembly only represent, as a rule, the opinions of a small minority.