The Duke would not pay for the works. He says that the Castle can never be taken. That is called hubris, Giacomo, the belief that you are never wrong. Believing you are never wrong is an error that afflicts great men. I have learned that to be right you must first be wrong many times. Without making errors--and learning from them--a man cannot find the truth.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the concept of humility and the value of learning from one's mistakes. The speaker argues that the Duke's refusal to pay for the works and his belief that the Castle is untouchable demonstrate hubris, a dangerous belief in one's infallibility. The speaker asserts that great men often fall into this error and that the key to discovering truth is acknowledging and rectifying errors. The quote ultimately emphasizes the importance of embracing humility, making mistakes, and continuously learning in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

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