Quote of the day by David Hume: 'Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few...' - Why people accept authority of others on them explained by Scottish philosopher

Why do millions of people follow the decisions of just a handful of leaders, even when they have the numbers to completely challenge them? Scottish philosopher David Hume had delved into this question during the 18th century with a quote that is still relevant in order to understand how political power and human behaviour works. Hume said, “Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.”

What is the meaning of David Hume's quote?

The quote points to a basic question about authority. Only a few people are able to rule over many more, but it is not just physical strength that gives them this power. Hume had said that the things people believed about their rulers, the legitimacy of authority and the purpose of government were key to keeping political systems in place.

Hume argued that people follow leaders because they believe the government serves the public interest, respect established institutions or accept the existing system as legitimate.

The political idea behind the quote

Hume had developed this argument in his essay Of the First Principles of Government, published in the collection Essays, Moral and Political in 1741, with a second volume coming out in 1742.

In the essay, he argued that government ultimately rests on opinion. He viewed beliefs about public interest, the right to exercise power, the right to property as important foundations of political authority.

Who was David Hume?

Born in Edinburgh in the year 1711, David Hume was a Scottish philosopher and also an historian who became one of the leading thinkers of the Enlightenment. His work explored human understanding, morality, belief and the limits of reasoning.

His early philosophical work includes, A Treatise of Human Nature, which was published in 1739 and 1740 but received less attention than he had hoped. His essays and historical writings, however, got widespread recognition during his lifetime itself.

Hume's approach to philosophy used to place a deep importance on experience, human nature and the emotions that influence people's decisions.