Caverns Quote by Iris Murdoch
“we are such inward secret creatures, that inwardness the most amazing thing about us, even more amazing than our reason. but we cannot just walk into the cavern and look around. most of what we think we know about our minds is pseudo-knowledge. we are all such shocking poseurs, so good at inflating the importance of what we think we value.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Sovereignty of Good, 1970
Human beings are deeply inward‑focused, making self‑knowledge difficult; our perceived knowledge about the mind is often superficial.
In simple terms: We are secretive; our mind knowledge is shallow.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper self‑understanding beyond appearances.
Themes
self‑knowledge
inwardness
illusion
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative writing
- mindfulness
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of our inner self remain hidden?
- How can we move beyond pseudo‑knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Our inner lives are more complex than we admit.
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![“Art on the contrary sought this harmony in practice [of art itself]. More and more in its creations it has given inwardness to that what surrounds us in nature, until, in Neo-Plasticism, nature is no longer dominant. This achievement of balance may prepare the way for the fulfillment of man and…” quote by Piet Mondrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c3/piet-mondrian-14779_achievement_art-on-the-contrary-sought-this-harmony_1635363.jpg)
