He remembered the pride-filled glow that had swamped…
““He remembered the pride-filled glow that had swamped Gyoko's face and he wondered again at the bewildering gullibility of people. How baffling it was that even the most cunning and clever people would frequently see only what they wanted to see, and would rarely look beyond the thinnest of facades. Or they would ignore reality, dismissing it as the facade. And then, when their whole world fell to pieces and they were on their knees slitting their bellies or cutting their throats, or cast out into the freezing world, they would tear their topknots or rend their clothes and bewail their karma, blaming gods or kami or luck or their lords or husbands or vassals -- anything or anything -- but never themselves.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often see only what they want, ignoring deeper truths, and blame external forces when things collapse.
In simple terms: Seeing only what we want and blaming others.
Key Takeaway
Question your own role in failures.
Themes
perception
selfdeception
responsibility
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- political upheaval
- organizational failure
- social conflict
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
karma
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever blame others for your problems?
- How can you recognize hidden truths?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks moments when external factors genuinely constrain choices.