There are some doubters even in the western villages. One…
““There are some doubters even in the western villages. One woman told me last Christmas that she did not believe either in hell or in ghosts. Hell she thought was merely an invention got up by the priest to keep people good; and ghosts would not be permitted, she held, to go 'trapsin about the earth' at their own free will; 'but there are faeries,' she added, 'and little leprechauns, and water-horses, and fallen angels.' I have met also a man with a mohawk Indian tattooed upon his arm, who held exactly similar beliefs and unbeliefs. No matter what one doubts one never doubts the faeries, for, as the man with the mohawk Indian on his arm said to me, 'they stand to reason.' Even the official mind does not escape this faith. ("Reason and Unreason")””
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 doubt many things yet cling to folklore because it feels intuitively true and culturally rooted.
In simple terms: Folklore persists despite rational doubt.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the comfort of myth while seeking evidence.
Themes
belief
folklore
reason
culture
Mood
reflective
curious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- discussing cultural narratives
- teaching critical thinking
- exploring personal belief systems
Key Concepts
mythology
cognitive bias
social identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes myth feel more credible than facts?
- How do cultural stories shape our worldview?
A Different Perspective
Folklore can hinder scientific understanding if taken as literal truth.