--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: His conclusion was that things were not…" description: "\"His conclusion was that things were not always what they appeared to be. The cub's fear of the unknown was an inherited distrust, and it had now been s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec9/jack-london-595_abiding_his-conclusion-was-that-things-were-not_1187466.jpg" --- # His conclusion was that things were not always what they… ![“His conclusion was that things were not always what they appeared to be. The cub's fear of the unknown was an inherited distrust, and it had now been strengthened by experience. Thenceforth, in the nature of things, he would possess an abiding distrust of appearances.” quote by Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec9/jack-london-595_abiding_his-conclusion-was-that-things-were-not_1187466.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec9/jack-london-595_abiding_his-conclusion-was-that-things-were-not_1187466.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec9/jack-london-595_abiding_his-conclusion-was-that-things-were-not_1187466.jpg) > “His conclusion was that things were not always what they appeared to be. The cub's fear of the unknown was an inherited distrust, and it had now been strengthened by experience. Thenceforth, in the nature of things, he would possess an abiding distrust of appearances.” [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator observes that appearances can be deceptive; past experiences deepen distrust, leading to a lasting skepticism toward what seems obvious. **In simple terms:** Appearances deceive; experience breeds lasting distrust. Key Takeaway Question surface appearances and seek deeper truth. Themes trust perception experience Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - interpersonal relationships - investments - media consumption - historical analysis Key Concepts cognitive bias skepticism Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance healthy skepticism with openness? - What evidence can verify true appearances? A Different Perspective Excessive distrust may hinder beneficial opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abiding/) [Appearance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearance/) [Appeared Cub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appeared-cub-3509111/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Cub Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cub-fear-3509110/) [Cubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cubs/) [Distrust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distrust/) [Distrust Appearances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distrust-appearances-3509112/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear of the unknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-of-the-unknown/) [Inherited Distrust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherited-distrust-3509114/) [Things Appeared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-appeared-3509113/) ## Related quotes > [A prudent person, having to do with a designing one, will always distrust most when appearances are fairest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/a-prudent-person-having-to-do-with-a-designing-one-will-always/) [Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/) > [“Without imagination, things were only as they appeared – and that was blindness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-renshaw/without-imagination-things-were-only-as-they-appeared-and-that-was/) [Jonathan Renshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-renshaw/) > [“Right, my phone. When these things first appeared, they were so cool. Only when it was too late did people realize they are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/right-my-phone-when-these-things-first-appeared-they-were-so-cool/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up in a cold sweat thinking I’m being chased by a grunting, disfigured man wielding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-clendening/i-can-t-tell-you-how-many-times-i-ve-woken-up-in-a-cold-sweat/) [Anne Clendening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-clendening/) > [“The only thing that holds you back from your success is fear of the unknown”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabiso-monkoe/the-only-thing-that-holds-you-back-from-your-success-is-fear-of-the/) [Thabiso Monkoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabiso-monkoe/) > [From fear of the unknown, both horns and wings have grown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murphy/from-fear-of-the-unknown-both-horns-and-wings-have-grown/) [Chris Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murphy/) > [“The only thing that holds back from your success is fear of the unknown”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabiso-monkoe/the-only-thing-that-holds-back-from-your-success-is-fear-of-the/) [Thabiso Monkoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabiso-monkoe/) > [Change for moving forward with positive implication makes life vibrant.But never make big change,it may be scary. Taking small steps to make the changes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/change-for-moving-forward-with-positive-implication-makes-life/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Usually when I start a new project there's a fear of the unknown; maybe it's a band I've never been in the studio with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-rubin/usually-when-i-start-a-new-project-there-s-a-fear-of-the-unknown/) [Rick Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-rubin/) > [“It's the fear of the unknown that we're both wrapped up in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/it-s-the-fear-of-the-unknown-that-we-re-both-wrapped-up-in/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [“The Fear of Death is far more greater than the Death itself but the fear of the Unknown is the greatest fear of all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-fear-of-death-is-far-more-greater-than-the-death-itself-but-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fear of the unknown is a terrible fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-vinge/fear-of-the-unknown-is-a-terrible-fear/) [Joan D. Vinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-vinge/) > [“On quickly climbing shaky stairs, I am not afraid of what might be up there, the upper unknown, on the contrary, i love it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moh-d-hassan/on-quickly-climbing-shaky-stairs-i-am-not-afraid-of-what-might-be-up/) [Moh'd Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moh-d-hassan/) > [The only thing we have to fear is fear itself-and possibly teh bogey man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-paulsen/the-only-thing-we-have-to-fear-is-fear-itself-and-possibly-teh-bogey/) [Pat Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-paulsen/) > [“People crave new experiences and want passion in their lives, but their fear of the unknown is greater than their desire to reach that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-kaiser/people-crave-new-experiences-and-want-passion-in-their-lives-but/) [Shannon Kaiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-kaiser/) ## More by Jack London > [It's better to stand by someone's side than by yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/it-s-better-to-stand-by-someone-s-side-than-by-yourself/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“And all the while the four men lay beside me and watched and made no move. Nor did I move, and without shame I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/and-all-the-while-the-four-men-lay-beside-me-and-watched-and-made-no/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“As the days went by, the evolution of LIKE into LOVE was accelerated. White Fang himself began to grow aware of it, though in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/as-the-days-went-by-the-evolution-of-like-into-love-was-accelerated/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [My life shall be free and broad and great, and I will not be the slave to the sense delights which chained my ancient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/my-life-shall-be-free-and-broad-and-great-and-i-will-not-be-the-slave/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“But he knew life, its foulness as well as its fairness, its greatness in spite of the slime that infested it, and by God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/but-he-knew-life-its-foulness-as-well-as-its-fairness-its-greatness/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [more you drink more you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/more-you-drink-more-you-want/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [Of her own experience she had no memory of the thing happening; but in her instinct, which was the experience of all mothers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/of-her-own-experience-she-had-no-memory-of-the-thing-happening-but-in/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [Socialism, when the last word is said, is merely a new economic and political system whereby more men can get food to eat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/socialism-when-the-last-word-is-said-is-merely-a-new-economic-and/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“As I, my real self, grew older, I entered more and more into the substance of my dreams. One may dream, and even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/as-i-my-real-self-grew-older-i-entered-more-and-more-into-the/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [A good soldier is a blind, heartless, soulless, murderous machine. He is not a man. His is not a brute, for brutes kill only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/a-good-soldier-is-a-blind-heartless-soulless-murderous-machine-he-is/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [I would rather be ashes than dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-would-rather-be-ashes-than-dust/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“I believe that when I am dead, I am dead. I believe that with my death I am just as much obliterated as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-believe-that-when-i-am-dead-i-am-dead-i-believe-that-with-my-death/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“He wastes his time over his writing, trying to accomplish what geniuses and rare men with college educations sometimes accomplish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/he-wastes-his-time-over-his-writing-trying-to-accomplish-what/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“Strength is an empty shell. One cannot violate the promptings of one’s nature without having that nature recoil upon itself. Show me a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/strength-is-an-empty-shell-one-cannot-violate-the-promptings-of-one-s/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [I'd rather sing one wild song and burst my heart with it, than live a thousand years watching my digestion and being afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-d-rather-sing-one-wild-song-and-burst-my-heart-with-it-than-live-a/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) [Explore all 425 Jack London quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) ## More Abiding quotes > [If there is an abiding theme in 'The Pursuit of Happiness,' it is the idea that you come into the world already shaped by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-kennedy/if-there-is-an-abiding-theme-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-it-is-the/) [Douglas Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-kennedy/) > [Why is it, my shadow-striding friend, that we don't fear dreams? We lose consciousness, lose control, things happen with no apparent logic and abiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/why-is-it-my-shadow-striding-friend-that-we-don-t-fear-dreams-we-lose/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [I think that there is just a deep and abiding sexism that's part of your life from the moment that you're conscious as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-w-garcia/i-think-that-there-is-just-a-deep-and-abiding-sexism-that-s-part-of/) [Liz W. Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-w-garcia/) > [Faith is the capacity of the soul to perceive the abiding, the invisible in the visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-baeck/faith-is-the-capacity-of-the-soul-to-perceive-the-abiding-the/) [Leo Baeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-baeck/) > [I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it's important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-have-two-conflicting-traditions-in-this-country-i-think-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/a-wicked-mortal-is-not-the-idea-of-god-he-is-little-else-than-the/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [When the penalty for a policeman's mistake is to put a criminal back out on the street, then we are hurting America; we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/when-the-penalty-for-a-policeman-s-mistake-is-to-put-a-criminal-back/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [The value of a dollar is to buy just things; a dollar goes on increasing in value with all the genius and all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-value-of-a-dollar-is-to-buy-just-things-a-dollar-goes-on/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The aims of these three groups are entirely irreconcilable. The aim of the High is to remain where they are. The aim of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-aims-of-these-three-groups-are-entirely-irreconcilable-the-aim-of/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [After more than two decades of trying to destroy the firearms rights of more than 80 million law-abiding American gun owners - and statistically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-gottlieb/after-more-than-two-decades-of-trying-to-destroy-the-firearms-rights/) [Alan Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-gottlieb/) > [When you defile the pleasant streams, And the wild bird's abiding place, You massacre a million dreams, And cast your spittle in God's face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-drinkwater/when-you-defile-the-pleasant-streams-and-the-wild-bird-s-abiding/) [John Drinkwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-drinkwater/) > [How can we hope to retain our freedom through the generations if we fail to teach our young that our liberty springs from an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-falwell/how-can-we-hope-to-retain-our-freedom-through-the-generations-if-we/) [Jonathan Falwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-falwell/) > [Love and friendship, two of life's abiding rewards, are endangered species in Hollywood. 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The fact that I have more time to dream my dreams and take my ease is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luci-swindoll/i-sometimes-forget-that-life-is-fragile-the-fact-that-i-have-more/) [Luci Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luci-swindoll/) [Browse all 387 Abiding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abiding/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "His conclusion was that things were not always what they appeared to be. The cub's fear of the unknown was an inherited distrust, and it had now been strengthened by experience. 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