Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quote

I have been too long acquainted with human nature to have great regard for human testimony; and a very great degree of probability, supported by various concurrent circumstances, conspiring in one point, will have much greater weight with me, than human testimony upon oath, or even upon honour; both of which I have frequently seen considerably warped by private views.

Letters Written by the Earl of Chesterfield to His Son (ed. 1827)