--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hardly any one is able to see what is…" description: "\"Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as it is in itself. He comes expecting one thing, he finds another thing, he sees through the ve..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/arthur-symons-15411_able_hardly-any-one-is-able-to-see-what-is-be_874955.png" --- # Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as… ![“Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as it is in itself. He comes expecting one thing, he finds another thing, he sees through the veil of his preconception, he criticizes before he has apprehended, he condemns without allowing his instinct the chance of asserting itself.” quote by Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/arthur-symons-15411_able_hardly-any-one-is-able-to-see-what-is-be_874955.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/arthur-symons-15411_able_hardly-any-one-is-able-to-see-what-is-be_874955.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/arthur-symons-15411_able_hardly-any-one-is-able-to-see-what-is-be_874955.png) > “Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as it is in itself. He comes expecting one thing, he finds another thing, he sees through the veil of his preconception, he criticizes before he has apprehended, he condemns without allowing his instinct the chance of asserting itself.” [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Preconceptions blind us; we judge before fully understanding, missing true insight. **In simple terms:** Prejudgment blocks true perception. Key Takeaway Suspend judgment to see clearly. Themes perception bias critical thinking self‑awareness Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophy psychology When to use this quote - first impressions - academic analysis - creative brainstorming Key Concepts philosophy psychology cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions cloud your view? - How can you practice open‑mindedness? A Different Perspective Overcoming bias requires effort and humility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awe/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Preconceptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preconceptions/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [The pretender sees no one but himself, Because he has the veil of conceit in front; If he were endowed with a God discerning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/the-pretender-sees-no-one-but-himself-because-he-has-the-veil-of/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [As for all I can tell, the only difference is that what many see we call a real thing, and what only one sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-for-all-i-can-tell-the-only-difference-is-that-what-many-see-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Visible and mobile, my body is a thing among things; it is one of them. It is caught in the fabric of the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/visible-and-mobile-my-body-is-a-thing-among-things-it-is-one-of-them/) [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) > [And for all I can tell, the only difference is that what many see we call a real thing, and what only one sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-for-all-i-can-tell-the-only-difference-is-that-what-many-see-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/to-see-is-to-forget-the-name-of-the-thing-one-sees/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [“I guess maybe once in a while the universe just knows a good thing when it sees it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-rothenberg/i-guess-maybe-once-in-a-while-the-universe-just-knows-a-good-thing/) [Jess Rothenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-rothenberg/) > [“Society has never helped anyone; whether you do something right or wrong, it only criticizes,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajay-k-pandey/society-has-never-helped-anyone-whether-you-do-something-right-or/) [Ajay K. Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajay-k-pandey/) > [A person that always criticizes your every move doesnt deserve you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-person-that-always-criticizes-your-every-move-doesnt-deserve-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We all know someone who criticizes us to diminish our confidence or belittle our achievements. A person so disturbed, they project their insecurity onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/we-all-know-someone-who-criticizes-us-to-diminish-our-confidence-or/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [If someone criticizes you, accept that with an open mind. Do not turn hostile or defensive. Be graceful and maintain your poise. You will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-cabral/if-someone-criticizes-you-accept-that-with-an-open-mind-do-not-turn/) [Justice Cabral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justice-cabral/) > [If you believe in what you're doing, and someone criticizes that, it's likely that they're just coming from a different place and they're bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilberto-hernandez-guerrero/if-you-believe-in-what-you-re-doing-and-someone-criticizes-that-it-s/) [Gilberto Hernandez Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilberto-hernandez-guerrero/) > [What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-the-public-criticizes-in-you-cultivate-it-is-you/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Rush Limbaugh criticizes me a lot on the air. I take that as a badge of honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/rush-limbaugh-criticizes-me-a-lot-on-the-air-i-take-that-as-a-badge/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [“bad men... aim at getting more than their share of advantages, while in labor and public service they fall short of their share; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/bad-men-aim-at-getting-more-than-their-share-of-advantages-while-in/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [When someone criticizes or disagrees with you, a small ant of hatred and antagonism is born in your heart. If you do not squash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/when-someone-criticizes-or-disagrees-with-you-a-small-ant-of-hatred/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) ## More by Arthur Symons > [A place has almost the shyness of a person, with strangers; and its secret is not to be surprised by a too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-the-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-and-its/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [My life is like a music-hall,Where, in the impotence of rage,Chained by enchantment to my stall,I see myself upon the stageDance to amuse a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/my-life-is-like-a-music-hall-where-in-the-impotence-of-rage-chained/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [The clamours of spring are the same old delicate noises, The earth renews its magical youth at a breath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/the-clamours-of-spring-are-the-same-old-delicate-noises-the-earth/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Without charm there can be no fine literature, as there can be no perfect flower without fragrance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/without-charm-there-can-be-no-fine-literature-as-there-can-be-no/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [I know the woman has no soul, I know The woman has no possibilities Of soul or mind or heart, but merely is The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/i-know-the-woman-has-no-soul-i-know-the-woman-has-no-possibilities-of/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [God, like all highest things, Hides light in shade, And in the night his visitings To sleep and dreams are clearliest made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/god-like-all-highest-things-hides-light-in-shade-and-in-the-night-his/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Leave words to them whom words, not doings, move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/leave-words-to-them-whom-words-not-doings-move/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [A realist, in Venice, would become a romantic by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-realist-in-venice-would-become-a-romantic-by-mere-faithfulness-to/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [The English mist is always at work like a subtle painter, and London is a vast canvas prepared for the mist to work on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/the-english-mist-is-always-at-work-like-a-subtle-painter-and-london/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [I had my dreams of Venice, but nothing that I had dreamed was as impossible as what I found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/i-had-my-dreams-of-venice-but-nothing-that-i-had-dreamed-was-as/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Sweet, can I sing you the song of your kisses? How soft is this one, how subtle this is, How fluttering swift as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/sweet-can-i-sing-you-the-song-of-your-kisses-how-soft-is-this-one-how/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [The mystic too full of God to speak intelligibly to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/the-mystic-too-full-of-god-to-speak-intelligibly-to-the-world/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [A place has almost a shyness of a person with strangers; its secret is not to be surprised by too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-a-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-its-secret-is/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [My soul is like this cloudy, flaming opal ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/my-soul-is-like-this-cloudy-flaming-opal-ring/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Love is a flaming heart, and its flames aspire / Till they cloud the soul in the smoke of a windy fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/love-is-a-flaming-heart-and-its-flames-aspire-till-they-cloud-the/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) [Explore all 43 Arthur Symons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Hardly any one is able to see what is before him, just as it is in itself. 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