But I would still reply, that the knavery and folly of men…
“But I would still reply, that the knavery and folly of men are such common phenomena, that I should rather believe the most extraordinary events to arise from their concurrence, than admit of so signal a violation of the laws of nature”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human nature is prone to error and deceit, so extraordinary events are more believable when they result from many small, ordinary actions rather than a single, impossible cause.
In simple terms: Common flaws make strange outcomes plausible.
Key Takeaway
Look for hidden causes.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
causality
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- investigating anomalies
- critical thinking
- historical analysis
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
skepticism
probability
Questions to Reflect On
- What ordinary factors could explain a surprising event?
- When should we accept an extraordinary cause?
A Different Perspective
It may undervalue genuine miracles or rare phenomena.