Ralph Waldo Emerson
2017 citations

The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast. Its fit hour of activity is night. Its actions are insane like its whole constitution. It persecutes a principle; it would whip a right; it would tar and feather justice, by inflicting fire and outrage upon the houses and persons of those who have these. It resembles the prank of boys, who run with fire-engines to put out the ruddy aurora streaming to the stars. ✨ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1983). Essays and Lectures, p.299, Library of America

159

Philosophy

6