He was in a core of people.

We, ignorant of ourselves, / Beg often our own harms.

The negative belief is always more petty, self-serving, unallowing, resistant, fearful, and unloving.

the dullwitted pair began to think of redeeming their turbans, and in spite of the entreaties of Agib, being very obstinate, as such thickskulls usually are, they went forth on that errand.