Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of…
“Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often believe nonsense until they examine evidence, then they may still hold belief.
In simple terms: Belief persists despite scrutiny.
Question assumptions critically.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- media consumption
- political discourse
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What belief have you held without sufficient evidence?
- How do you test the validity of new claims?
Evidence may be misinterpreted.