Who said “Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No --…”?

Verified

Washington Irving. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceKnickerbocker's History of New York (1809), Book III, ch. 2 This derives from a statement by William Shakespeare in the play Julius Caesar where Caesar declares

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“Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No -- no, your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, and setting the whole community by the ears.”
— Washington Irving
VerifiedKnickerbocker's History of New York (1809), Book III, ch. 2 This derives from a statement by William Shakespeare in the play Julius Caesar where Caesar declares · evidenceObesity

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Knickerbocker's History of New York (1809), Book III, ch. 2 This derives from a statement by William Shakespeare in the play Julius Caesar where Caesar declares.

APA

Irving, W. (n.d.). Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No -- no, your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, and setting the whole community by the ears. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29248-who-ever-hears-of-fat-men-heading-a/

MLA

Irving, Washington. “Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No -- no, your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, and setting the whole community by the ears.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29248-who-ever-hears-of-fat-men-heading-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Irving, Washington. “Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? No -- no, your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, and setting the whole community by the ears.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/29248-who-ever-hears-of-fat-men-heading-a/.

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