--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Properly speaking, the unconscious is the…" description: "\"Properly speaking, the unconscious is the real psychic; its inner nature is just as unknown to us as the reality of the external world, and it is just ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/sigmund-freud-360_consciousness_properly-speaking-the-unconscious-is-the_2452348.jpg" --- # Properly speaking, the unconscious is the real psychic… ![“Properly speaking, the unconscious is the real psychic; its inner nature is just as unknown to us as the reality of the external world, and it is just as imperfectly reported to us through the data of consciousness as is the external world through the indications of our sensory organs.” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/sigmund-freud-360_consciousness_properly-speaking-the-unconscious-is-the_2452348.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/sigmund-freud-360_consciousness_properly-speaking-the-unconscious-is-the_2452348.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ac/sigmund-freud-360_consciousness_properly-speaking-the-unconscious-is-the_2452348.jpg) > “Properly speaking, the unconscious is the real psychic; its inner nature is just as unknown to us as the reality of the external world, and it is just as imperfectly reported to us through the data of consciousness as is the external world through the indications of our sensory organs.” [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The unconscious is a hidden reality as unknown as the external world, and both are imperfectly known through our senses. **In simple terms:** Our mind’s hidden part is as mysterious as the world. Key Takeaway Question what lies beneath conscious thought. Themes psychology philosophy knowledge Mood analytical inquisitive Type theoretical philosophical When to use this quote - therapy - self‑analysis - research - education Key Concepts unconscious perception epistemology Questions to Reflect On - Can we ever truly know the unconscious? - How reliable are our senses? A Different Perspective The claim may overstate the unknowability of the unconscious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Organs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organs/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Psychics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychics/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“know it’s not a psychic; those are the women on late-night TV who will tell your future if you just give them your credit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/know-it-s-not-a-psychic-those-are-the-women-on-late-night-tv-who-will/) [Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/) > [Unlearning is the choice, conscious or unconscious, of any real artist. 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