Thanks to Uncommon Sense, I found this quote:
“I believe that the public wants to be lead, to be instructed, to be told what to do. They want reassurance. They will always move on masse, a mob, a herd, a group, because people want the safety of human company. They are afraid to stand alone because the pressure is to be safely included within the herd, not to be the lone calf standing on the desolate, dangerous wolf-patrolled prairie of contrary opinion.”
– Jesse Livermore, ‘world’s greatest stock trader’
Jesse is referring to the conformity of mankind in relation to stock trading, but it captured my attention because it’s describing the condition of mankind in general.
Humanity are sheep. They seek comfort, security and stability. They’re afraid to stand out, for fear of ridicule. And so, like sheep, the follow along behind everyone else, behind the shepherd, behind the ones who speak the loudest and seem to know what they’re doing. They follow those in charge, because it’s safe to do so.
And, like lemmings being led to the slaughter, they question nothing, not even as they fall over the cliff to their deaths. The shepherd must know best, they think. Maybe there’s a big trampoline at the bottom of the cliff. Maybe there’s…
splat.
Thanks for reading! Please add your own thoughts below.
Don't forget to subscribe for new posts sent to you by email!