“Till we know that, what is all our knowledge; how shall we even so much as "detect?”

—  Thomas Carlyle

For the vulpine sharpness, which considers itself to be knowledge, and "detects" in that fashion, is far mistaken. Dupes indeed are many: but, of all dupes, there is none so fatally situated as he who lives in undue terror of being duped.
1840s, Heroes and Hero-Worship (1840), The Hero As King

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Thomas Carlyle481
Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian… 1795–1881

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