It is interesting that when we are introduced to books as sources of information in our childhood it does not usually go like that. We are taught to consult books like oracles, and the idea of the author is not much brought to our attention at first. In any case, after a time we come to receive communications in books without anyone introducing them to us, and we are apt to believe—as we put it—what the book says about itself; for example that it was printed by a certain printer.
I know the meaning of "put", and "as we put it". But I want to know where "it" refers to. Does it mean "as we say"? As we say what? That we are apt to believe? But do we say such a thing? Or we may say so? So shouldn't it be "as we may put it"? Moreover, to what does "we" refer? To human beings? Or to we who are discussing here?