This quote by Beilby Porteus is a commentary on the power of popular opinion and how it can shape the understanding of an individual. It recommends that one act of murder can make a person a villain in the eyes of the public, while millions of acts of heroism can make an individual a hero. This quote is a pointer that popular opinion can be fickle and that it is not constantly an accurate reflection of a person's character. It also implies that the general public can be easily swayed by sensationalized stories which it is essential to look beyond the headings to get a more accurate image of an individual's character. Eventually, this quote works as a suggestion that public opinion need to not be taken as gospel which it is important to look beyond the surface to get a much better understanding of a person's character.
