A man must be himself convinced if he is to convince others. The prophet must be his own disciple, or he will make none. Enthusiasm is contagious: belief creates belief. There is no influence issuing from unbelief or from languid acquiescence. This is peculiarly noticeable in Art, because Art depends on sympathy for its influence, and unless the artist has felt the emotions he depicts we remain unmoved: in proportion to the depth of his feeling is our sympathetic response; in proportion to the shallowness or falsehood of his presentation is our coldness or indifference.
George Henry Lewes
Unfortunately, these days there are too many con men out there peddling their snake oil, pseudo-science and race-hustling with the aid of slick marketing and a craven press.
But in the long run that will strengthen the case for something that produces actual results. Those who buy snake oil will sicken and die. Unfortunately the weeding out process won’t save the foolish in the here and now.