For aught I know, he may have told that silly tale so oft that he’s come to believe it himself. - L. Sprague de Camp

Folly is mortals’ self-selected misfortune.

“We are a law abiding folk, sir. We do not permit private persons to indulge their feuds on their own, and we have some most ingenious penalties for homicide.”
“Mean ye,” said Jillo, “that amongst you Pathenians, a gentleman may not avenge an insult by the gage of battle?”
“Of course not! We are not bloodthirsty barbarians.”
“Ye mean there are no true gentlemen amongst you,” sniffed Jillo.

Then who were the Ancient Ones?"
Halran shrugged. "There are as many interpretations of those myths as there are mythographers.