Beware: All too often, We say What we hear others say. 

We think What we're told that we think. 

We see What we're permitted to see. 

Worse! We see what we're told that we see. 

Repetition and pride are the keys to this. 

To hear and to see Even an obvious lie Again And again and again May be

to say it, Almost by reflex Then to defend it Because we've said it And at

last to embrace it Because we've defended it And because we cannot admit

That we've embraced and defended An obvious lie. 

Thus, without thought, Without intent, We make Mere echoes Of

ourselves— And we say What we hear others say.

 

 

Octavia Butler