If a man is offered a fact
which goes against his
instincts, he will scrutinize it
closely, and unless the
evidence is overwhelming,
he will refuse to believe it.
If, on the other hand, he is
offered something which
affords a reason for acting
in accordance to his instincts,
he will accept it even on the
slightest evidence.
The origin of myths is
explained in this way.
Bertrand Russell