"It is safest to take the unpopular side in the first instance. Transit from the unpopular is easy... but from the popular to the unpopular is so steep and rugged that it is impossible to maintain it"
- William Lamb Melbourne
About this Quote
This quote by William Lamb Melbourne is a suggestion to believe for oneself and also to not be persuaded by preferred viewpoint. He suggests that it is simpler to shift from an undesirable viewpoint to a preferred one than it is to transition from a prominent viewpoint to an out of favor one. This is because the course from prominent to unpopular is steep and also sturdy, making it difficult to keep. Melbourne is encouraging individuals to take the undesirable side in the first instance, as it is the most safe alternative. He is suggesting that it is better to develop one's very own viewpoint as well as to not be affected by the majority. This quote is a reminder to assume for oneself and also to not be persuaded by preferred opinion. It is important to consider all sides of a debate and to develop one's own point of view, even if it is undesirable.
"What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things... it is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface"
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair"
