You remember how he would trust strangers, and if they…
““You remember how he would trust strangers, and if they fooled him he would say: ‘It’s better to be fooled than to be suspicious’—that the confidence trick is the work of man, but the want-of-confidence trick is the work of the devil.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Blind trust can be more comforting than suspicion, but it also makes one vulnerable to deception.
In simple terms: Trusting strangers feels safer than doubting.
Balance trust with healthy skepticism.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- forming new relationships
- business negotiations
- online interactions
- personal safety
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you question someone's motives?
- How does suspicion affect relationships?
Over‑trust can lead to exploitation.