--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The principle to be kept in mind is to…" description: "\"“The principle to be kept in mind is to know what we see rather than to see what we know.”\" — Abraham Heschel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/abraham-heschel-58103_integrity_the-principle-to-be-kept-in-mind-is-to-k_435915.jpg" --- # The principle to be kept in mind is to know what we see… ![“The principle to be kept in mind is to know what we see rather than to see what we know.” quote by Abraham Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/abraham-heschel-58103_integrity_the-principle-to-be-kept-in-mind-is-to-k_435915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/abraham-heschel-58103_integrity_the-principle-to-be-kept-in-mind-is-to-k_435915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/abraham-heschel-58103_integrity_the-principle-to-be-kept-in-mind-is-to-k_435915.jpg) > ““The principle to be kept in mind is to know what we see rather than to see what we know.”” [Abraham Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-heschel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritize direct observation over preconceived theories; see reality as it is, not through biased lenses. **In simple terms:** See what’s there, not what you expect. Key Takeaway Observe before interpreting. Themes perception knowledge open‑mindedness science philosophy Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - research - decision making - teaching - conflict resolution Key Concepts epistemology critical thinking bias empiricism Questions to Reflect On - What evidence do you ignore because of assumptions? - How can you test your own biases? 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Surely if I see very clearly that my mind cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/can-the-mind-see-the-truth-of-its-own-incapacity-to-know-the-unknown/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [It's all in the mind, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-milligan/it-s-all-in-the-mind-you-know/) [Spike Milligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-milligan/) > [You are not the mind. If you know you are not the mind, then what difference does it make if it's busy or quiet?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/you-are-not-the-mind-if-you-know-you-are-not-the-mind-then-what/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Every mind must know the whole lesson for itself,-must go over the whole ground. What it does not see, what it does not live,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-mind-must-know-the-whole-lesson-for-itself-must-go-over-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Keep an open mind and know that you can always learn more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/keep-an-open-mind-and-know-that-you-can-always-learn-more/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [My mind cannot know you, only labels, judgments, facts, and opinions about you. Being alone knows directly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/my-mind-cannot-know-you-only-labels-judgments-facts-and-opinions/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [If there is a conflict in your mind between what you know and what you are seeing, paint what you see because if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-schmid/if-there-is-a-conflict-in-your-mind-between-what-you-know-and-what/) [Richard Schmid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-schmid/) ## More by Abraham Heschel > [“The surest way to suppress our ability to understand the meaning of God and the importance of worship is to take things for granted...Indifference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-heschel/the-surest-way-to-suppress-our-ability-to-understand-the-meaning-of/) [Abraham Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-heschel/) > [“The role of the prophet was ambiguous in the eyes of some of his contemporaries. The indignation that flowed from him, the anger he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-heschel/the-role-of-the-prophet-was-ambiguous-in-the-eyes-of-some-of-his/) [Abraham Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-heschel/) > [“Faced with the mind-surpassing grandeur of the universe, we cannot but admit that there is meaning which is greater than man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-heschel/faced-with-the-mind-surpassing-grandeur-of-the-universe-we-cannot-but/) [Abraham Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-heschel/) > [“If God were a theory, the study of theology would be the way to understand Him. But God is alive and in need of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-heschel/if-god-were-a-theory-the-study-of-theology-would-be-the-way-to/) [Abraham Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-heschel/) > [“The prophets never taught that God and history are one, or that whatever happens below reflects the will of God above. 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Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Too much principle is often more harmful than too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/too-much-principle-is-often-more-harmful-than-too-little/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [The interesting thing is that everyone in golf is just nice. You learn a lot about people playing golf: their integrity, how they play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-interesting-thing-is-that-everyone-in-golf-is-just-nice-you-learn/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-family-remains-the-basic-unit-of-society-and-the-first-school-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“We should remark the grace and fascination that there is even in the incidentals of Nature's processes.. 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