Since I no longer expect/ anything from mankind except/ madness,/ meanness, and mendacity;/ egotism,/ cowardice,/ and/ self-delusion,/ I have stopped/ being a/ misanthrope.

Joe is never sure whether they're mad or just alarmingly and uncompromisingly incapable of self-delusion.

Joe is never sure whether they're mad or just alarmingly and uncompromisingly incapable of self-delusion.

There is a self-satisfied dogmatism with which mankind at each period of its history cherishes the delusion of the finality of existing modes of knowledge.

In reading The History of Nations, we find that, like individuals, they have their whims and their peculiarities, their seasons of excitement and recklessness, when they care not what they do. We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first.

Being afraid you'll look like a coward is the worst reason for doing anything.