The mob have neither judgment nor principle, ready to bawl at night for the reverse of what they desired in the morning

The mob have neither judgment nor principle, ready to bawl at night for the reverse of what they desired in the morning

In the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, the concept of the mob as fickle and easily swayed is a recurring theme. Tacitus often portrays the masses as lacking in judgment and principle, prone to changing their opinions and desires at a moment's notice. This is exemplified in the quote, "The mob have neither judgment nor principle, ready to bawl at night for the reverse of what they desired in the morning."

Tacitus believed that the mob was easily manipulated by those in power, who could use their influence to sway public opinion and incite the masses to act in a certain way. This manipulation of the mob was a common tactic used by emperors and politicians to maintain control and further their own agendas. Tacitus saw this as a dangerous trend, as it allowed for the erosion of democracy and the rise of tyranny.

The fickleness of the mob was also a source of frustration for Tacitus, who believed that a society governed by the whims of the masses was inherently unstable. He saw the mob as lacking in the ability to make reasoned decisions, instead being driven by emotion and impulse. This lack of judgment and principle made the mob susceptible to demagogues and charlatans who could exploit their vulnerabilities for personal gain.