That queen, of error, whom we call fancy and opinion, is…
“That queen, of error, whom we call fancy and opinion, is the more deceitful because she does not always deceive. She would be the infallible rule of truth if she were the infallible rule of falsehood; but being only most frequently in error, she gives no evidence of her real quality, for she marks with the same character both that which is true and that which is false.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The mind’s tendency to treat personal preference as objective truth leads to self‑deception, obscuring the line between truth and falsehood.
In simple terms: Fancy disguises bias as truth, making self‑deception common.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions and seek external verification.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
truth
bias
self‑deception
Mood
reflective
critical
skeptical
Type
aphilosophical
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- political discourse
- media consumption
- scientific research
- interpersonal relationships
Key Concepts
Epistemology
cognitive bias
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs do you treat as facts without proof?
- How can you test the reliability of your own judgments?
A Different Perspective
It can be hard to distinguish genuine insight from personal bias without objective criteria.