"For <a href=""https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFEE3w7F0ww&amp;t=1h34m30s"">1:34:30</a>", Francis de Sales said in early 17th century something like when lacking information about someone, out of all the options, choose the best one. This could be hard, for example, if your life is at risk and it might be safer to hear Murphy's advice. I think it is good to take Murphy's advice on taking precaution measures, but following Francis de Sales on what to believe about a person. Not doing the later could easily lead to vain conflicts and gossip.<br>Also Lex comment remind me of the "self fulfilling prophesy" sociopsychological phenomenon. People can behave accordingly to what you expect from them. Expect or think of the worse of others, then you can get their worse, and vice-versa.