Much Madness is divinest Sense

Emily Dickinson's short poem on how the majority decides what counts as madness and as sense.

Much madness is divinest senseTo a discerning eye;Much sense the starkest madness.‘T is the majorityIn this, as all, prevails.Assent, and you are sane;Demur,—you’re straightway dangerous,And handled with a chain.

Famous lines

• Much madness is divinest sense
  To a discerning eye;
  Much sense the starkest madness.

  In context

  • Thinking
  • Wisdom

• ‘T is the majority
  In this, as all, prevails.
  Assent, and you are sane;
  Demur,⁠—you’re straightway dangerous,
  And handled with a chain.

  In context

  • Freedom
  • Thinking