--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ‘equilibrium’ that people see in me…" description: "\"The ‘equilibrium’ that people see in me is really an illusion. I am as flawed as anyone. It’s only that I seem to have the knack of hiding.\" — Erich Segal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/erich-segal-12086_equilibrium_the-equilibrium-that-people-see-in-me-is_1648833.png" --- # The ‘equilibrium’ that people see in me is really an… ![“The ‘equilibrium’ that people see in me is really an illusion. I am as flawed as anyone. It’s only that I seem to have the knack of hiding.” quote by Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/erich-segal-12086_equilibrium_the-equilibrium-that-people-see-in-me-is_1648833.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/erich-segal-12086_equilibrium_the-equilibrium-that-people-see-in-me-is_1648833.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/erich-segal-12086_equilibrium_the-equilibrium-that-people-see-in-me-is_1648833.png) > “The ‘equilibrium’ that people see in me is really an illusion. I am as flawed as anyone. It’s only that I seem to have the knack of hiding.” [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) ## 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 appear composed, but that calmness can mask deep imperfections and hidden struggles. **In simple terms:** Appearances hide flaws. Key Takeaway Recognize and accept your imperfections. Themes self-awareness vulnerability authenticity Mood reflective honest Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - mental health - self-improvement Key Concepts psychology self-concept Questions to Reflect On - How does hiding flaws affect your relationships? - What benefits come from showing vulnerability? A Different Perspective Illusion of equilibrium may cause others to overlook needed support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Equilibrium](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equilibrium/) [Equilibrium People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equilibrium-people-631848/) [Flawed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flawed/) [Hiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiding/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Illusion Flawed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion-flawed-631846/) [Knack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knack/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Really Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-illusion-631847/) ## Related quotes > [As I've said, freedom is really an illusion. Anytime we think we have a real choice, it just means we haven't seen the shotgun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/as-i-ve-said-freedom-is-really-an-illusion-anytime-we-think-we-have-a/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [I find the older I get, the more I realize that time is really an illusion. Its like something we created, a constraint that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-wayans/i-find-the-older-i-get-the-more-i-realize-that-time-is-really-an/) [Kim Wayans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-wayans/) > [The dream of life is really an illusion, and everybody lives in the reality he or she creates - a virtual reality that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/the-dream-of-life-is-really-an-illusion-and-everybody-lives-in-the/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [“Money is really made up. It is only because of the illusion of confidence and the ignorance of the masses that this house of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-t-kiyosaki/money-is-really-made-up-it-is-only-because-of-the-illusion-of/) [Robert T. Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-t-kiyosaki/) > [The experiences of promoting my first album were really something; there is so much illusion in my environment (touring and pop music) that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-sheik/the-experiences-of-promoting-my-first-album-were-really-something/) [Duncan Sheik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-sheik/) > [“...everything we cling to is really an illusion that's manufactured by people who want to control us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-dewey/everything-we-cling-to-is-really-an-illusion-that-s-manufactured-by/) [Laurel Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-dewey/) > [I was in high school. A couple of my friends and I decided we had to be in a class together where we could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-beach/i-was-in-high-school-a-couple-of-my-friends-and-i-decided-we-had-to/) [Adam Beach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-beach/) > [Stupidity has a knack of getting its way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/stupidity-has-a-knack-of-getting-its-way/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I think that if you have a knack for storytelling, and you work really hard at it, you'll have a chance to tap into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ross/i-think-that-if-you-have-a-knack-for-storytelling-and-you-work-really/) [Adam Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ross/) > [Donald Trump is not going anywhere. And we see as calculated as these are, he has a knack for telling a certain segment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/donald-trump-is-not-going-anywhere-and-we-see-as-calculated-as-these/) [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) > [If you're an American reader, you can love short stories the way other Americans love baseball; this is our game, people! We have more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-bloom/if-you-re-an-american-reader-you-can-love-short-stories-the-way-other/) [Amy Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-bloom/) > [I'll be the first to admit we're the 90's version of Cheap Trick or the Knack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/i-ll-be-the-first-to-admit-we-re-the-90-s-version-of-cheap-trick-or/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [Career-wise, I was not the most naturally talented ice skater. Of course I had a knack for it , but practice was always the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-lipinski/career-wise-i-was-not-the-most-naturally-talented-ice-skater-of/) [Tara Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-lipinski/) > [The greatest manager has a knack for making ballplayers think they are better than they think they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-jackson/the-greatest-manager-has-a-knack-for-making-ballplayers-think-they/) [Reggie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-jackson/) > [I always had a pretty good knack for raising hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-lee/i-always-had-a-pretty-good-knack-for-raising-hell/) [Brandon Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-lee/) ## More by Erich Segal > [Professors of classics - not even a professor of English - professors of classics, they're something sacred; it's almost like being a priest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/professors-of-classics-not-even-a-professor-of-english-professors-of/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [although science could pinpoint the exact spot in the brain that ignites rage, they had yet to identify the location that produces love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/although-science-could-pinpoint-the-exact-spot-in-the-brain-that/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“Let's just run, huh?" Bob picked up the pace, hoping to tire his partner into silence. "That reminds me," Bernie puffed, "you know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/let-s-just-run-huh-bob-picked-up-the-pace-hoping-to-tire-his-partner/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Some were brilliant bordering on genius. Others, genius bordering on madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/some-were-brilliant-bordering-on-genius-others-genius-bordering-on/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [I was afraid of being rejected, yes. I was also afraid of being accepted for the wrong reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/i-was-afraid-of-being-rejected-yes-i-was-also-afraid-of-being/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Sometimes I ask myself what would I be if Jenny were alive. And then I answer : I would also be alive." - Oliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/sometimes-i-ask-myself-what-would-i-be-if-jenny-were-alive-and-then-i/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [What can you say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/what-can-you-say-about-a-twenty-five-year-old-girl-who-died/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“I mean, imagine for a second Olivero Barretto, some nice Italian kid from down the block in Cranston, Rhode Island. He comes to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/i-mean-imagine-for-a-second-olivero-barretto-some-nice-italian-kid/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Quiet heroism or youthful idealism, or both? What do we know? That life without heroism and idealism is not worth living - or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/quiet-heroism-or-youthful-idealism-or-both-what-do-we-know-that-life/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“What the hell makes you smart?" I asked. "I wouldn't go for coffee with you." "Listen - I wouldn't ask you." "That," she replied,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/what-the-hell-makes-you-smart-i-asked-i-wouldn-t-go-for-coffee-with/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [The pain of not knowing what to do was exceeded only by that of knowing what I had done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/the-pain-of-not-knowing-what-to-do-was-exceeded-only-by-that-of/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“Min­nie Four-Eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/min-nie-four-eyes/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [We have turned doctors into gods and worship their deity by offering up our bodies and our souls - not to mention our worldly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/we-have-turned-doctors-into-gods-and-worship-their-deity-by-offering/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [Her handwriting was curious — small sharp little letters with no capitals (who did she think she was, e. e. cummings?).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/her-handwriting-was-curious-small-sharp-little-letters-with-no/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) > [“You don't know about falling off cliffs, Prep­pie,' she said. 'You never fell off one in your god­damn life.' 'Yeah,' I said, re­cov­er­ing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-segal/you-don-t-know-about-falling-off-cliffs-prep-pie-she-said-you-never/) [Erich Segal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) [Explore all 51 Erich Segal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-segal/) ## More Equilibrium quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [Perhaps the universe is nothing but an equilibrium of idiocies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/perhaps-the-universe-is-nothing-but-an-equilibrium-of-idiocies/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [I'd like to be able to do complex math in my head. Any kind of adversity and I become very anxious, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-woods/i-d-like-to-be-able-to-do-complex-math-in-my-head-any-kind-of/) [Zach Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-woods/) > [Inside movement there is one moment in which the elements are in balance. Photography must seize the importance of this moment and hold immobile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cartier-bresson/inside-movement-there-is-one-moment-in-which-the-elements-are-in/) [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cartier-bresson/) > [No one imposes things on anyone in Europe. That's not my notion, nor is it my temperament. The EU has always functioned under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/no-one-imposes-things-on-anyone-in-europe-that-s-not-my-notion-nor-is/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [It cannot but happen?that those will survive whose functions happen to be most nearly in equilibrium with the modified aggregate of external forces? This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/it-cannot-but-happen-that-those-will-survive-whose-functions-happen/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creature flourish together, content with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-harmony-with-the-tao-the-sky-is-clear-and-spacious-the-earth-is/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Rights are a protection from society. But only by fulfilling their obligations to society can the individual give meaning to that protection. (V -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ralston-saul/rights-are-a-protection-from-society-but-only-by-fulfilling-their/) [John Ralston Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ralston-saul/) > [The concept of minimalism is to relax. Like a Zen monk in training, it is something that brings equilibrium to the heart. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takashi-murakami/the-concept-of-minimalism-is-to-relax-like-a-zen-monk-in-training-it/) [Takashi Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takashi-murakami/) > [In anger, my hostility is directed toward another's action and can be extinguished by getting even - an action that reestablishes the equilibrium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-elster/in-anger-my-hostility-is-directed-toward-another-s-action-and-can-be/) [Jon Elster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-elster/) > [We learned to build our emotional muscles, helping us make it through major market falls and grind through the trying times without losing our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-chandler/we-learned-to-build-our-emotional-muscles-helping-us-make-it-through/) [Richard Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-chandler/) > [Equilibrium is the profoundest tendency of all human activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/equilibrium-is-the-profoundest-tendency-of-all-human-activity/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [As there must be moderation in other things, so there must be moderation in self-criticism. Perpetual contemplation of our own actions produces a morbid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/as-there-must-be-moderation-in-other-things-so-there-must-be/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [Beauty is not the purpose of creation, it is its reward. Its appearance, often late in the day, is no more than an indication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brassai/beauty-is-not-the-purpose-of-creation-it-is-its-reward-its-appearance/) [Brassai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brassai/) > [In our wildest aberrations we dream of an equilibrium we have left behind and which we naively expect to find at the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/in-our-wildest-aberrations-we-dream-of-an-equilibrium-we-have-left/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) [Browse all 333 Equilibrium quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equilibrium/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The ‘equilibrium’ that people see in me is really an illusion. I am as flawed as anyone. 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