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Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and…

“Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and it would be too tedious to wait till all were agreed. She is said to lie at the bottom of a well, for the very reason, perhaps, that whoever looks down in search of her sees his own image at the bottom, and is persuaded not only that he…” quote by James Russell Lowell
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“Truth, after all, wears a different face to everybody, and it would be too tedious to wait till all were agreed. She is said to lie at the bottom of a well, for the very reason, perhaps, that whoever looks down in search of her sees his own image at the bottom, and is persuaded not only that he has seen the goddess, but that she is far better looking than he had imagined.”

James Russell Lowell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Truth appears differently to each person; seeking it often reveals our own biases, making us think we have found something greater.

In simple terms: Truth looks different to everyone.

Key Takeaway

Question your assumptions.

Themes

philosophy perception truth

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal introspection
  • debate
  • media consumption

Key Concepts

subjectivity self‑reflection illusion

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does your “truth” reveal about you?
  • How can we recognize bias?
A Different Perspective

Our projections can distort reality.

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