--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We see not our own backs." description: "\"We see not our own backs.\" — Catullus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg" --- # We see not our own backs. ![“We see not our own backs.” quote by Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg) > “We see not our own backs.” [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) ## 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 fail to recognize their own flaws, focusing instead on others' shortcomings. **In simple terms:** We ignore our own faults, judging others. Key Takeaway Practice self-awareness and humility. Themes philosophy psychology self‑reflection Mood introspective thoughtful Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - personal development - therapy - mindfulness Key Concepts Cognitive bias humility Questions to Reflect On - What blind spots do you have? - How can you improve self‑awareness? A Different Perspective Self‑recognition can be uncomfortable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Backs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backs/) ## Related quotes > [Every one has his faults: but we do not see the wallet on our own backs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/every-one-has-his-faults-but-we-do-not-see-the-wallet-on-our-own-backs/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [Every guy has different strengths in the NFL. Receivers are different, running backs are different, but they all have that one thing that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-fitzgerald/every-guy-has-different-strengths-in-the-nfl-receivers-are-different/) [Larry Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-fitzgerald/) > [ \[W\]e must stop trying to protect our planet from every imaginable, exaggerated or imaginary risk. And we must stop trying to protect it on… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niger-innis/w-e-must-stop-trying-to-protect-our-planet-from-every-imaginable/) [Niger Innis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niger-innis/) > [At fullback you have a little bit more defensive responsibility. You have to help out with your center backs a little bit more. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-yedlin/at-fullback-you-have-a-little-bit-more-defensive-responsibility-you/) [DeAndre Yedlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-yedlin/) > [The self-made man that some people believe is a myth? It could be, because you do it on the backs of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/the-self-made-man-that-some-people-believe-is-a-myth-it-could-be/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) > [I can consider not only great art, but the context in which that art has been created. I can consider the people who paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-can-consider-not-only-great-art-but-the-context-in-which-that-art/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [“Set backs are bumps in the road, they are not the end of the roads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-greene/set-backs-are-bumps-in-the-road-they-are-not-the-end-of-the-roads/) [Bob Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-greene/) > [Jules: You scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours. Seth: Well Jules, the funny thing about my back is that it's located on my cock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/superbad/jules-you-scratch-our-backs-we-ll-scratch-yours-seth-well-jules-the/) [Superbad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/superbad/) > [When the phonies are expelled from their leadership roles and the Republican Party backs a moderate gubernatorial candidate acceptable to the rank and file…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-paladino/when-the-phonies-are-expelled-from-their-leadership-roles-and-the/) [Carl Paladino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-paladino/) > [~Its funny when your family turn their backs on you when you've done everything for them… ~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-gone/its-funny-when-your-family-turn-their-backs-on-you-when-you-ve-done/) [She's\_gone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/she-s-gone/) > [I don't think running backs have ever been under-valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cowher/i-don-t-think-running-backs-have-ever-been-under-valued/) [Bill Cowher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cowher/) > [Just as we should never balance the budget on the backs of the poor, so it is an economic delusion to think you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-osborne/just-as-we-should-never-balance-the-budget-on-the-backs-of-the-poor/) [George Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-osborne/) > [We, the artists, make the stuff they sell and they're like ticks on our backs, sucking the life out of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wilson/we-the-artists-make-the-stuff-they-sell-and-they-re-like-ticks-on-our/) [Malcolm Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wilson/) > [I don't think anyone went the polls and said, 'I am casting my vote to make sure that Wall Street has better chances to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/i-don-t-think-anyone-went-the-polls-and-said-i-am-casting-my-vote-to/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I refuse to say things behind people's backs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-refuse-to-say-things-behind-people-s-backs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) ## More by Catullus > [Away with you, water, destruction of wine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/away-with-you-water-destruction-of-wine/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [I hate and I love, and who can tell me why?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/i-hate-and-i-love-and-who-can-tell-me-why/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [The confounding of all right and wrong, in wild fury, has averted from us the gracious favor of the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/the-confounding-of-all-right-and-wrong-in-wild-fury-has-averted-from/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [Ah, what is more blessed than to put cares away, when the mind lays by its burden, and tired with labor of far travel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/ah-what-is-more-blessed-than-to-put-cares-away-when-the-mind-lays-by/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/i-hate-and-love-and-why-perhaps-you-ll-ask-i-don-t-know-but-i-feel/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [“O furum optime balneariorum Vibenni pater et cineadi fili (nam dextra pater inquinatiore, culo filius est voraciore), cur non exilium malasque in oras itis?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/o-furum-optime-balneariorum-vibenni-pater-et-cineadi-fili-nam-dextra/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [Stop wishing to merit anyone's gratitude or thinking that anyone can become grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/stop-wishing-to-merit-anyone-s-gratitude-or-thinking-that-anyone-can/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/it-is-difficult-to-suddenly-give-up-a-long-love-difficile-est-longum/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [“I hate and I love. Why do I do this, you may ask? I do not know, but I feel it, and I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/i-hate-and-i-love-why-do-i-do-this-you-may-ask-i-do-not-know-but-i/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [“I hate & love. And if you should ask how I can do both, I couldn't say; but I feel it, and it shivers me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/i-hate-love-and-if-you-should-ask-how-i-can-do-both-i-couldn-t-say/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [Oh, this age! How tasteless and ill bred it is!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/oh-this-age-how-tasteless-and-ill-bred-it-is/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/let-us-live-my-lesbia-and-let-us-love-vivamus-mea-lesbia-atque-amemus/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/to-whom-do-i-give-my-new-elegant-little-book-cui-dono-lepidum-novum/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [I hate and I love. Perchance you ask why I do that. I know not, but I feel that I do and I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/i-hate-and-i-love-perchance-you-ask-why-i-do-that-i-know-not-but-i/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [What woman says to fond lover should be written on air or the swift water. \[Lat., Mulier cupido quod dicit amanti, In vento et…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/what-woman-says-to-fond-lover-should-be-written-on-air-or-the-swift/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) [Explore all 55 Catullus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) ## More Backs quotes > [I refuse to say things behind people's backs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-refuse-to-say-things-behind-people-s-backs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I don't think anyone went the polls and said, 'I am casting my vote to make sure that Wall Street has better chances to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/i-don-t-think-anyone-went-the-polls-and-said-i-am-casting-my-vote-to/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [We, the artists, make the stuff they sell and they're like ticks on our backs, sucking the life out of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wilson/we-the-artists-make-the-stuff-they-sell-and-they-re-like-ticks-on-our/) [Malcolm Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wilson/) > [Just as we should never balance the budget on the backs of the poor, so it is an economic delusion to think you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-osborne/just-as-we-should-never-balance-the-budget-on-the-backs-of-the-poor/) [George Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-osborne/) > [I don't think running backs have ever been under-valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cowher/i-don-t-think-running-backs-have-ever-been-under-valued/) [Bill Cowher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cowher/) > [~Its funny when your family turn their backs on you when you've done everything for them… ~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-gone/its-funny-when-your-family-turn-their-backs-on-you-when-you-ve-done/) [She's\_gone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/she-s-gone/) > [When the phonies are expelled from their leadership roles and the Republican Party backs a moderate gubernatorial candidate acceptable to the rank and file…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-paladino/when-the-phonies-are-expelled-from-their-leadership-roles-and-the/) [Carl Paladino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-paladino/) > [Jules: You scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours. Seth: Well Jules, the funny thing about my back is that it's located on my cock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/superbad/jules-you-scratch-our-backs-we-ll-scratch-yours-seth-well-jules-the/) [Superbad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/superbad/) > [“Set backs are bumps in the road, they are not the end of the roads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-greene/set-backs-are-bumps-in-the-road-they-are-not-the-end-of-the-roads/) [Bob Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-greene/) > [I can consider not only great art, but the context in which that art has been created. I can consider the people who paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-can-consider-not-only-great-art-but-the-context-in-which-that-art/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [The self-made man that some people believe is a myth? It could be, because you do it on the backs of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/the-self-made-man-that-some-people-believe-is-a-myth-it-could-be/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) > [At fullback you have a little bit more defensive responsibility. You have to help out with your center backs a little bit more. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-yedlin/at-fullback-you-have-a-little-bit-more-defensive-responsibility-you/) [DeAndre Yedlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-yedlin/) > [ \[W\]e must stop trying to protect our planet from every imaginable, exaggerated or imaginary risk. And we must stop trying to protect it on… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niger-innis/w-e-must-stop-trying-to-protect-our-planet-from-every-imaginable/) [Niger Innis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niger-innis/) > [Every guy has different strengths in the NFL. Receivers are different, running backs are different, but they all have that one thing that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-fitzgerald/every-guy-has-different-strengths-in-the-nfl-receivers-are-different/) [Larry Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-fitzgerald/) > [placid, adj. Sometimes I love it when we just lie on our backs, gaze off, stay still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/placid-adj-sometimes-i-love-it-when-we-just-lie-on-our-backs-gaze-off/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) [Browse all 111 Backs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We see not our own backs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Catullus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/we-see-not-our-own-backs/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Backs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/we-see-not-our-own-backs/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/catullus-11720_backs_we-see-not-our-own-backs-2613117_2613117.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We see not our own backs.” — Catullus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Catullus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We see not our own backs.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/we-see-not-our-own-backs/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/we-see-not-our-own-backs/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```