proverb · Legacy record
A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion.
A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Independent decisions called wise and following public opinion called ignorant contrast judgment with conformity. The saying values examining a choice oneself.
What the words are saying
The two labels are not reliable diagnoses. A useful interpretation checks evidence rather than assuming agreement is uninformed or disagreement insightful. Public knowledge can be well supported, and independent reasoning can still be mistaken; a person need not decide without advice or collaboration.
Everyday example
A reader examines the reasons behind a widely held view instead of accepting or rejecting it merely for being popular.
When to use it
Use it to discuss considered judgment with good advice still valued.
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What it does not mean
Neither conformity nor independence alone proves knowledge or wisdom.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
China
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 296; PDF page 32; collection label: China
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- China