But what is one to say to an act of destructive ferocity so absurd as
to be incomprehensible, inexplicable, almost unthinkable; in fact,
mad? Madness alone is truly terrifying, inasmuch as you cannot placate
it either by threats, persuasion, or bribes. The demonstration must be
against learning—science. But not every science will do. The attack
must have all the shocking senselessness of gratuitous blasphemy.
-- Joseph Conrad. The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale
(novel, 1907) Chapter II.