We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know, because they have never deceived us.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- We tend to trust strangers more than acquaintances because strangers have no history of deception.
- In plain terms
- We trust people we don't know better because they haven't lied to us yet.
- What can you take from it?
- Be cautious with strangers, as their trustworthiness is based only on lack of history.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we trust the unknown?
- How do you verify someone's integrity?
Another view
Strangers can be more dangerous precisely because we trust them blindly.
More from Samuel Johnson
It is seldom that we find either men or places such as we expect them. ... Yet it is necessary to hope, though hope should always be deluded, for hope itself i…
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Permalink to quote #78 Merriment is always the effect of a sudden impression. The jest which is expected is already destroyed.
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