I wouldn’t say I invented tack, but I definitely brought it to its present high popularity.
—Bette Midler (b.1945) American Actress, Singer
Those who are commended by everybody must be very extraordinary men, or, which is more probable, very inconsiderable men.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
Popularity is not an indication of quality.
—Vanna Bonta (1958–2014) Italian-American Novelist, Poet, Actress
Popularity is the crown of laurel which the world puts on bad art. Whatever is popular is wrong.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
He liked to like people, therefore people liked him.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Everybody’s private motto: It’s better to be popular than right.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The one who pleased everybody died before they were born.
—Common Proverb
A habitation giddy and unsure hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Be as far from desiring the popular love as fearful to deserve the popular hate; ruin dwells in both; the one will hug thee to death; the other will crush thee to destruction: to escape the first, be not ambitious; avoid the second, be not seditious.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
A generous nation is grateful even for the preservation of its rights, and willingly extends the respect due to the office of a good prince into an affection for his person.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
Popularity is the easiest thing in the world to gain and it is the hardest thing to hold.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
I would jump down Etna for any public good—but I hate a mawkish popularity.
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
A few more days, and this essay will follow the Defensio Populi to the dust and silence of the upper shelf… For a month or two it will occupy a few minutes of chat in every drawing-room, and a few columns in every magazine; and it will then be withdrawn, to make room for the forthcoming novelties.
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–59) English Historian, Essayist, Philanthropist
The greatness of a popular character is less according to the ratio of his genius than the sympathy he shows with the prejudices and even the absurdities of his time. Fanatics do not select the cleverest, but the most fanatical leaders; as was evidenced in the choice of Robespierre by the French Jacobins, and in that of Cromwell by the English Puritans.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) French Poet, Politician, Historian
The great secrets of being courted, are, to shun others and to seem delighted with yourself.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
It is not so difficult a task to plant new truths as to root out old errors; for there is this paradox in men,—they run after that which is new, but are prejudiced in favor of that which is old.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Applause waits on success.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
I’ve given parties that have made Indian rajahs green with envy. I’ve had prima donnas break $10,000 engagements to come to my smallest dinners. When you were still playing button back in Ohio, I entertained on a cruising trip that was so much fun that I had to sink my yacht to make my guests go home.
—Unknown
Popular opinion is the greatest lie in the world.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Popularity, next to virtue and wisdom, ought to be aimed at; for it is the dictate of wisdom, and is necessary to the practice of virtue inmost.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
By common consent of all the nations and all the ages the most valuable thing in this world is the homage of men, whether deserved or undeserved.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The love of popularity seems little else than the love of being beloved; and is onty blamable when a person aims at the affections of a people by means in appearance honest, but in their end pernicious and destructive.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
I put no account on him who esteems himself just as the popular breath may chance to raise him.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
Popularity is not leadership.
—Richard Marcinko (1940–2021) American Navy Officer
Anyone who is popular is bound to be disliked.
—Yogi Berra (1925–2015) American Sportsperson
Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved.
—Margaret Fuller (1810–50) American Feminist, Writer, Revolutionary
What most people in our culture mean by being lovable is essentially a mixture between being popular and having sex appeal.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
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