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Of all the nations in the world the French are the most renowned for singing over their grievances. Of that country it has been remarked with some truth, that its whole history may be traced in its songs.

— Charles Mackay Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds (1841)

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More quotes by Charles Mackay

Cannon-balls may aid the truth
But thought’s a weapon stronger;
We’ll win our battles by its aid,
Wait a little longer.

Voices from the Crowd, and Town Lyrics (1857)

The smallest effort is not lost,
Each wavelet on the ocean tost
Aids in the ebb-tide or the flow;
Each rain-drop makes some floweret blow;
Each struggle lessens human woe.

Voices from the Crowd, and Town Lyrics (1857)

Some love to roam o’er the dark sea’s foam,
Where the shrill winds whistle free.

Legends of the Isles and Other Poems (1851)

Aid the dawning, tongue and pen;
Aid it, hopes of honest men!

Legends of the Isles and Other Poems (1851)

But the sunshine aye shall light the sky,
As round and round we run;
And the truth shall ever come uppermost,
And justice shall be done.

Legends of the Isles and Other Poems (1851)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Charles Mackay (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.