---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t…"
description: "\"“The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t looking at.”\" — David Sturt"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg"
---

#  The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t looking at.

![“The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t looking at.” quote by David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg)

> ““The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t looking at.””

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

## About This Quote

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

We often miss what we don’t actively seek, emphasizing the importance of intentional observation.

**In simple terms:** We can’t see what we don’t look for.

Key Takeaway

Seek actively to discover hidden truths.

Themes

perception awareness focus learning

Mood

curious inquisitive

Type

educational inspirational

When to use this quote

- research
- problem solving
- personal growth

Key Concepts

Selective attention cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

- What are you overlooking?
- How can you broaden your focus?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on seeking can cause tunnel vision.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Aren Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aren-looking-1506359/) [Great work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-work/) [Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking/) [See-for-yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see-for-yourself-165800/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Aren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-aren-1792567/)

## Related quotes

> [“Understanding requires our own observation. Solutions frequently come in the form of mental pictures. The only prescription is to get out and use our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/understanding-requires-our-own-observation-solutions-frequently-come/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Each of us has a unique perspective on the world around us, an inner eye that has more to do with how we think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/each-of-us-has-a-unique-perspective-on-the-world-around-us-an-inner/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Difference makers look with their own eyes from a variety of perspectives to see new possibilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/difference-makers-look-with-their-own-eyes-from-a-variety-of/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Call it what you will, it’s about getting up off your chair, going where the action is, and seeing things firsthand. Because when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/call-it-what-you-will-it-s-about-getting-up-off-your-chair-going/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [The folks who know the truth aren't talking… The ones who don't have a clue, you can't shut them up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/the-folks-who-know-the-truth-aren-t-talking-the-ones-who-don-t-have-a/)

[Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/)

> [“Tell the truth, why aren’t you going to kill me?” … “Because she is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hunter/tell-the-truth-why-aren-t-you-going-to-kill-me-because-she-is/)

[Elizabeth Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hunter/)

> [“It’s a hundred generations removed from anything original, but the truth is aren’t we all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/it-s-a-hundred-generations-removed-from-anything-original-but-the/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [There's a lot of things you can't see if you aren't' looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/there-s-a-lot-of-things-you-can-t-see-if-you-aren-t-looking/)

[Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/)

> [“Most girls want the right guy. They aren't looking for a one-time thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-m-ward/most-girls-want-the-right-guy-they-aren-t-looking-for-a-one-time-thing/)

[H.M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-m-ward/)

> [Maybe you don't see people looking at you because you aren't looking at them. Maybe you don't hear all the good things people say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/maybe-you-don-t-see-people-looking-at-you-because-you-aren-t-looking/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Sinners cannot find God for the same reason that criminals cannot find a policeman: They aren't looking!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sunday/sinners-cannot-find-god-for-the-same-reason-that-criminals-cannot/)

[Billy Sunday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sunday/)

> [“What people aren't looking for, they rarely see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-brown/what-people-aren-t-looking-for-they-rarely-see/)

[Sandra Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-brown/)

> [People aren't looking at how they're doing, but rather at how their neighbors are doing and at their own place in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-rogoff/people-aren-t-looking-at-how-they-re-doing-but-rather-at-how-their/)

[Kenneth Rogoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-rogoff/)

> [Life is too short to surround yourself with people who aren't looking out for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/life-is-too-short-to-surround-yourself-with-people-who-aren-t-looking/)

[Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/)

> [“In fact, there’s likely more insight to be gleaned where others aren’t looking—it just won’t seem as relevant to the current conversation.42”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-simler/in-fact-there-s-likely-more-insight-to-be-gleaned-where-others-aren-t/)

[Kevin Simler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-simler/)

## More by David Sturt

> [“Difference makers not only stay engaged until a difference is made, but follow the results of their work…. They insist on knowing what worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/difference-makers-not-only-stay-engaged-until-a-difference-is-made/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Understanding requires our own observation. Solutions frequently come in the form of mental pictures. The only prescription is to get out and use our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/understanding-requires-our-own-observation-solutions-frequently-come/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“There are times when those around us just won’t get what we’re trying to accomplish… at those times, it’s our own passion, commitment, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/there-are-times-when-those-around-us-just-won-t-get-what-we-re-trying/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Difference making, by its very nature, is the art of taking something good and making it better. It’s an act of fine-tuning, improving, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/difference-making-by-its-very-nature-is-the-art-of-taking-something/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Each of us has a unique perspective on the world around us, an inner eye that has more to do with how we think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/each-of-us-has-a-unique-perspective-on-the-world-around-us-an-inner/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“We have the ability to insist on doing something great – something people will love and appreciate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/we-have-the-ability-to-insist-on-doing-something-great-something/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Thinking of the good our work can do for others, beyond our daily to-do list, helps us change how we do what we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/thinking-of-the-good-our-work-can-do-for-others-beyond-our-daily-to/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“A fixed mindset causes people to fear failure; they don’t want to try anything that might damage their current sense of ability and intelligence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/a-fixed-mindset-causes-people-to-fear-failure-they-don-t-want-to-try/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“That’s what reframing your role is all about: thinking about how your work affects others, looking at the larger purpose of your work and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/that-s-what-reframing-your-role-is-all-about-thinking-about-how-your/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“People who deliver unexpected value don’t just go around improving things willy-nilly every time an idea pops into their heads. They look before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/people-who-deliver-unexpected-value-don-t-just-go-around-improving/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Difference makers look with their own eyes from a variety of perspectives to see new possibilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/difference-makers-look-with-their-own-eyes-from-a-variety-of/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“Our ability to see the impact of changes before we make them is an important part of being human. Every new discovery…. is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/our-ability-to-see-the-impact-of-changes-before-we-make-them-is-an/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“If you don’t ask the right question, who will?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/if-you-don-t-ask-the-right-question-who-will/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“You know things; you understand things. You have a history and a work life unlike anyone else’s. Respect it. Pay attention to it. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/you-know-things-you-understand-things-you-have-a-history-and-a-work/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [“People who job-craft don’t just reshape their jobs to make life better for themselves, but to serve others in some beneficial way.” – Jane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/people-who-job-craft-don-t-just-reshape-their-jobs-to-make-life/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

[Explore all 41 David Sturt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

## More Great work quotes

> [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/)

[Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/)

> [To fashion stars out of dog dung, that is the Great Work. To take a negative experience and, by comparing it to something worse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-david-neel/to-fashion-stars-out-of-dog-dung-that-is-the-great-work-to-take-a/)

[Alexandra David-Neel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-david-neel/)

> [“Difference makers not only stay engaged until a difference is made, but follow the results of their work…. They insist on knowing what worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/difference-makers-not-only-stay-engaged-until-a-difference-is-made/)

[David Sturt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/)

> [If it is written and read with serious attention, a novel, like a myth or any great work of art, can become an initiation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/if-it-is-written-and-read-with-serious-attention-a-novel-like-a-myth/)

[Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/)

> [All My Children taught me a great work ethic; you work so hard on a soap opera! It is a good way to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-larue/all-my-children-taught-me-a-great-work-ethic-you-work-so-hard-on-a/)

[Eva LaRue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-larue/)

> [“It is one thing being disciplined to plan and it is another thing being a disciple of great work. Be your own disciplinarian.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/it-is-one-thing-being-disciplined-to-plan-and-it-is-another-thing/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [I want my whole life to be a great work of art, not just my art. And that means paying attention to my entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-want-my-whole-life-to-be-a-great-work-of-art-not-just-my-art-and/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [The longer you are in acting business, the more you cherish the times when you're working with people that do great work, and can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-bakula/the-longer-you-are-in-acting-business-the-more-you-cherish-the-times/)

[Scott Bakula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-bakula/)

> [We're being very good team players here and very happy we've got a great working relationship with Reince Priebus and the RNC. They've been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/we-re-being-very-good-team-players-here-and-very-happy-we-ve-got-a/)

[Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/)

> [I just want to do great work: work that inspires people... To know that you are given this gift in life and that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-blanchard/i-just-want-to-do-great-work-work-that-inspires-people-to-know-that/)

[Tammy Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-blanchard/)

> [“There is an overflowing grace, for every great work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/there-is-an-overflowing-grace-for-every-great-work/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Every great work, every big accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-scovel-shinn/every-great-work-every-big-accomplishment-has-been-brought-into/)

[Florence Scovel Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-scovel-shinn/)

> [Great groups deliver great results. And for everyone involved in a great group, great work is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/great-groups-deliver-great-results-and-for-everyone-involved-in-a/)

[Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/)

> [What I need to do is have a great positive attitude and a great work ethic. Those two things validate me. Yes, it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-robinson/what-i-need-to-do-is-have-a-great-positive-attitude-and-a-great-work/)

[David Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-robinson/)

[Browse all 501 Great work quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-work/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t looking at.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "David Sturt"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t-looking-at/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Great work"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t-looking-at/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a57/david-sturt-15985_great-work_the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t_1772662.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The truth is, we can’t see what we aren’t looking at.” — David Sturt",
                "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": "David Sturt",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sturt/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The truth is, we can’t see...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t-looking-at/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sturt/the-truth-is-we-can-t-see-what-we-aren-t-looking-at/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
