--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The brain is the citadel of sense…" description: "\"The brain is the citadel of sense perception.\" — Pliny the Elder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png" --- # The brain is the citadel of sense perception. ![“The brain is the citadel of sense perception.” quote by Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png) > “The brain is the citadel of sense perception.” [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The brain processes and interprets sensory information, forming our perception of reality. **In simple terms:** Brain interprets sensory data. Key Takeaway Cultivate mindful awareness of perception. Themes perception neuroscience knowledge Mood inquisitive analytical Type scientific educational When to use this quote - learning - decision making - creative work Key Concepts cognitive science philosophy of mind Questions to Reflect On - How do your senses shape your beliefs? - What steps can improve perceptual accuracy? A Different Perspective Perception can be biased; sensory data may be incomplete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Brain Citadel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain-citadel-4534808/) [Citadels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citadels/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Intellect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense/) [Sense perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-perception/) ## Related quotes > [The brain is the highest of the organs in position, and it is protected by the vault of the head; it has no flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-brain-is-the-highest-of-the-organs-in-position-and-it-is/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [During long periods of history, the mode of human sense perception changes with humanity’s entire mode of existence. The manner in which human sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/during-long-periods-of-history-the-mode-of-human-sense-perception/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [After sleeping through a hundred million centuries, we have finally opened our eyes on a sumptuous planet, sparkling with color, bountiful with life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/after-sleeping-through-a-hundred-million-centuries-we-have-finally-2/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I can sometimes sit for two hours in a room with almost no thought. Just complete stillness. Sometimes when I go for walks, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/i-can-sometimes-sit-for-two-hours-in-a-room-with-almost-no-thought/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [To know each other we must reach beyond the sphere of our sense perceptions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/to-know-each-other-we-must-reach-beyond-the-sphere-of-our-sense/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [The belief in an external world independent of the perceiving subject is the basis of all natural science. Since, however, sense perception only gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-belief-in-an-external-world-independent-of-the-perceiving-subject/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [If we try and direct our lives with only our limited rationalistic thoughts and our sense perceptions, then our actions and our activities will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-we-try-and-direct-our-lives-with-only-our-limited-rationalistic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [When our intellect has shaken off its many opinions about created things, then the inner principle of truth appears clearly to it, providing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/when-our-intellect-has-shaken-off-its-many-opinions-about-created/) [Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/) > [The mind wants to land, to fixate, to hold a concept, but the only way you can be really free is by not fixating.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/the-mind-wants-to-land-to-fixate-to-hold-a-concept-but-the-only-way/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [Sense-perceptions can only be indirect knowledge, and not direct knowledge. Only one's own awareness is direct knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/sense-perceptions-can-only-be-indirect-knowledge-and-not-direct/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [There is a single general space, a single vast immensity which we may freely call void: in it are unnumerable globes like this on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giordano-bruno/there-is-a-single-general-space-a-single-vast-immensity-which-we-may/) [Giordano Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giordano-bruno/) > [It is one of the commonest of our mistakes to consider that the limit of our power of perception is also the limit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-one-of-the-commonest-of-our-mistakes-to-consider-that-the-limit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What if insanity is just a heightened sense of perception?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ania-ahlborn/what-if-insanity-is-just-a-heightened-sense-of-perception/) [Ania Ahlborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ania-ahlborn/) > [Our senses enable us to perceive only a minute portion of the outside world. Our hearing extends to a small distance. Our sight is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/our-senses-enable-us-to-perceive-only-a-minute-portion-of-the-outside/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [Do you really need to mentally label every sense perception and experience? Do you really need to have a reactive like/dislike relationship with life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/do-you-really-need-to-mentally-label-every-sense-perception-and/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) ## More by Pliny the Elder > [Simple diet is best: for many dishes bring many diseases, and rich sauces are worse than even heaping several meats upon each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/simple-diet-is-best-for-many-dishes-bring-many-diseases-and-rich/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Amid the sufferings of life on earth, suicide is God's best gift to man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/amid-the-sufferings-of-life-on-earth-suicide-is-god-s-best-gift-to-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [The happier the moment the shorter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-happier-the-moment-the-shorter/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvelous when it comes to our knowledge for the first time? How many things, too, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/indeed-what-is-there-that-does-not-appear-marvelous-when-it-comes-to/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Accustom yourself to master and overcome things of difficulty; for if you observe, the left hand for want of practice is insignificant, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/accustom-yourself-to-master-and-overcome-things-of-difficulty-for-if/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [As land is improved by sowing it with various seeds, so is the mind by exercising it with different studies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/as-land-is-improved-by-sowing-it-with-various-seeds-so-is-the-mind-by/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [True happiness consists in being considered deserving of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/true-happiness-consists-in-being-considered-deserving-of-it/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [The largest land animal is the elephant, and it is the nearest to man in intelligence: it understands the language of its country and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-largest-land-animal-is-the-elephant-and-it-is-the-nearest-to-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Many dishes bring many diseases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/many-dishes-bring-many-diseases/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [In the literary as well as military world, most powerful abilities will often be found concealed under a rustic garb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/in-the-literary-as-well-as-military-world-most-powerful-abilities/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Man naturally yearns for novelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/man-naturally-yearns-for-novelty/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [With man, most of his misfortunes are occasioned by man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/with-man-most-of-his-misfortunes-are-occasioned-by-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Better do nothing than do ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/better-do-nothing-than-do-ill/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [It is this earth that, like a kind mother, receives us at our birth, and sustains us when born; it is this alone, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/it-is-this-earth-that-like-a-kind-mother-receives-us-at-our-birth-and/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [His only fault is that he has no fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/his-only-fault-is-that-he-has-no-fault/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) [Explore all 147 Pliny the Elder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## More Brain quotes > [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/) [Vilayanur S. Ramachandran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/) > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [I prefer the word 'musician.' I'm a musician and a composer. I have a problem with the word 'artist.' I don't know if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-prefer-the-word-musician-i-m-a-musician-and-a-composer-i-have-a/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [Thinking of sex provides enough mental stimulation to reduce risk of diseases that damage the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thinking-of-sex-provides-enough-mental-stimulation-to-reduce-risk-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/) [Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/) > [I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-boyle/i-was-told-i-had-brain-damage-i-always-knew-it-was-an-unfair-label/) [Susan Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-boyle/) > [The act of learning to read added an entirely new circuit to our hominid brain's repertoire. The long developmental process of learning to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/the-act-of-learning-to-read-added-an-entirely-new-circuit-to-our/) [Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/) > [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [I am the way I am. If you like me because I'm glamorous, so be it. If you like me, because I speak well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malaika-arora-khan/i-am-the-way-i-am-if-you-like-me-because-i-m-glamorous-so-be-it-if/) [Malaika Arora Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malaika-arora-khan/) [Browse all 8,465 Brain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The brain is the citadel of sense perception.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pliny the Elder" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-perception/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-perception/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31e/pliny-the-elder-2838_brain_the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-percep_2152915.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The brain is the citadel of sense perception.” — Pliny the Elder", "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": "Pliny the Elder", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The brain is the citadel of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-perception/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-brain-is-the-citadel-of-sense-perception/#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 } } ] } ```