In every field of human endeavor—religion, economics, politics, and scholarship—there is a temptation to rely on secondhand knowledge. It feels safe, it feels convenient, but it is profoundly dangerous. Secondhand commentary not only distorts the truth; it also blinds us to reality and opens the door to errors with consequences that stretch across nations and generations. From theology to international policy, from economic reform to ideological conflict, the lesson is clear: nothing can replace firsthand study, serious engagement, and intellectual humility.