“But so engrained in the human heart is the desire to believe that some people really do know what they say they know, and can thus save them from the trouble of thinking for themselves, that in a short time would-be philosophers and faddists became more powerful than ever, and gradually led their countrymen to accept all those absurd views of life.”

Source: Erewhon (1872), Ch. 27

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "But so engrained in the human heart is the desire to believe that some people really do know what they say they know, a…" by Samuel Butler?
Samuel Butler photo
Samuel Butler 232
novelist 1835–1902

Related quotes

Bob Dylan photo
Baltasar Gracián photo

“Because the ignorant do not know themselves, they never know for what they are lacking. Some would be sages if they did not believe they were so already.”

Como los ignorantes no se conocen, tampoco buscan lo que les falta. Serían sabios algunos si no creyessen que lo son.
Maxim 176 (p. 100)
The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647)

René Descartes photo
Leo Tolstoy photo
Fred Rogers photo
Lee Child photo
Roberto Clemente photo

“A lot of my countrymen are here tonight, and I don't really know whether I love you more or them more, but I do know this: you people in Pittsburgh are the greatest fans in the world!”

Roberto Clemente (1934–1972) Puerto Rican baseball player

Addressing fans at Three Rivers Stadium on Roberto Clemente Day, as quoted in "Bear-ly Speaking: World's Greatest Fans Thanked by Clemente" http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/15703260/ by Sam 'Bear' Bechtel, in The Indiana Gazette (July 25, 1970)
Other, <big><big>1970s</big></big>, <big>1970</big>

Related topics