One of the most pernicious of folk-sayings is, 'I cannot…
““One of the most pernicious of folk-sayings is, 'I cannot believe my eyes!' Why particularly should you believe your eyes? You were given eyes to see with, not to believe with. Believe your mind, your intuition, your reason, your emotion if you like - but not your eyes unaided by any of these interpreters. Your eyes can see the mirage, the hallucination, as easily as the actual scenery.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Our senses can deceive; we must interpret what we see with mind and emotion.
In simple terms: Eyes alone can mislead; trust reason and feeling too.
Key Takeaway
Question beyond, not just sight.
Themes
perception
truth
intuition
Mood
cautious
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- making decisions
- evaluating evidence
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
sensory illusion
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify what you see?
- When should you trust intuition over sight?
A Different Perspective
Eyes can be tricked by mirages; context matters.