People · 1819
We are all of us more or less the slaves of opinion.
— William Hazlitt · Political Essays
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker describes everyone as subject to opinion to some degree. Calling people slaves gives that influence a forceful, uncomfortable shape, while more or less allows differences in its strength. The remark questions independence of judgment by presenting dependence on others' views as widely shared.
Context reviewed