The mind of the people is like mud, from which arise strange and beautiful things. – W. J. Turner

The mass never comes up to the standard of its best member, but on the contrary degrades itself to a level with the lowest. – Henry David Thoreau

Nothing is so contemptible as the sentiments of the mob. – Seneca (Seneca the Elder)

The only freedom supposed to be left to the masses is that of grazing on the ration of simulacra the system distributes to each individual. – Michel De Certeau