---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We see the world not as it is, but as we…"
description: "\"We see the world not as it is, but as we are.\" — Stephen Covey"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png"
---

#  We see the world not as it is, but as we are.

![“We see the world not as it is, but as we are.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png)

> “We see the world not as it is, but as we are.”

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People perceive reality through the filter of their own experiences and biases, not as an objective truth.

**In simple terms:** Perception is subjective.

Key Takeaway

Seek to understand others’ viewpoints.

Themes

perception subjectivity empathy

Mood

introspective empathetic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- conflict resolution
- leadership
- education
- media analysis

Key Concepts

cognitive bias psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do your biases affect your view?
- What steps reveal a clearer picture?

A Different Perspective

Assuming objectivity can cause miscommunication.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [None of us see the world as it is but as we are, as our frames of reference, or maps, define the territory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/none-of-us-see-the-world-as-it-is-but-as-we-are-as-our-frames-of/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [We think we see the world as it is, when in fact we see the world as we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-think-we-see-the-world-as-it-is-when-in-fact-we-see-the-world-as/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [We see the world, not as it is, but as we are -- or, as we are conditioned to see it. When we open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we-are-or-as-we-are-conditioned/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [“A free spirit lives a free life, not bound by rules but guided by wonder, and in their wake they inspire others to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julieanne-o-connor/a-free-spirit-lives-a-free-life-not-bound-by-rules-but-guided-by/)

[Julieanne O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julieanne-o-connor/)

> [A screenplay is really an instruction manual, and it can be interpreted in any number of ways. The casting, the choice of location, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/a-screenplay-is-really-an-instruction-manual-and-it-can-be/)

[David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/)

> [The lens is the actor's best critic... showing his mind more clearly than on the stage. You can get wonderful cooperation out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-greenstreet/the-lens-is-the-actor-s-best-critic-showing-his-mind-more-clearly/)

Sydney Greenstreet

> [I've always had the utmost respect and awe of what the lens can do and what a director can do with just a camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-gray-gubler/i-ve-always-had-the-utmost-respect-and-awe-of-what-the-lens-can-do/)

[Matthew Gray Gubler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-gray-gubler/)

> [Peace can be a lens through which you see the world. Be it. Live it. Radiate it out. Peace is an inside job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/peace-can-be-a-lens-through-which-you-see-the-world-be-it-live-it/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [The self is merely the lens through which we see others and the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-self-is-merely-the-lens-through-which-we-see-others-and-the-world/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [Light-skinned privilege is largely through a white lens. It is exploited by oppressive forces... It was always a facade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-sampson/light-skinned-privilege-is-largely-through-a-white-lens-it-is/)

[Kendrick Sampson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-sampson/)

> [No lens is quick enough to track the movement of the human body. The molecules are always moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-rees/no-lens-is-quick-enough-to-track-the-movement-of-the-human-body-the/)

[Roger Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-rees/)

> [My first experience with film was through a still camera. I would sit, very much against my will, with my father in the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavid-hood/my-first-experience-with-film-was-through-a-still-camera-i-would-sit/)

[Gavid Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavid-hood/)

> [Making progress on longstanding challenges requires a different lens and a new approach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayanna-pressley/making-progress-on-longstanding-challenges-requires-a-different-lens/)

[Ayanna Pressley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayanna-pressley/)

> [“‎..:When we don't have the have the right mindset, we only see a dim and blurry picture of things. It is as if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-garcia/when-we-don-t-have-the-have-the-right-mindset-we-only-see-a-dim-and/)

[Rafael Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-garcia/)

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

## More by Stephen Covey

> [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

[Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

## More Lens quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [“‎..:When we don't have the have the right mindset, we only see a dim and blurry picture of things. It is as if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-garcia/when-we-don-t-have-the-have-the-right-mindset-we-only-see-a-dim-and/)

[Rafael Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-garcia/)

> [Making progress on longstanding challenges requires a different lens and a new approach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayanna-pressley/making-progress-on-longstanding-challenges-requires-a-different-lens/)

[Ayanna Pressley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayanna-pressley/)

> [My first experience with film was through a still camera. I would sit, very much against my will, with my father in the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavid-hood/my-first-experience-with-film-was-through-a-still-camera-i-would-sit/)

[Gavid Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavid-hood/)

> [No lens is quick enough to track the movement of the human body. The molecules are always moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-rees/no-lens-is-quick-enough-to-track-the-movement-of-the-human-body-the/)

[Roger Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-rees/)

> [Light-skinned privilege is largely through a white lens. It is exploited by oppressive forces... It was always a facade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-sampson/light-skinned-privilege-is-largely-through-a-white-lens-it-is/)

[Kendrick Sampson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-sampson/)

> [The self is merely the lens through which we see others and the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-self-is-merely-the-lens-through-which-we-see-others-and-the-world/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [Peace can be a lens through which you see the world. Be it. Live it. Radiate it out. Peace is an inside job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/peace-can-be-a-lens-through-which-you-see-the-world-be-it-live-it/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [I've always had the utmost respect and awe of what the lens can do and what a director can do with just a camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-gray-gubler/i-ve-always-had-the-utmost-respect-and-awe-of-what-the-lens-can-do/)

[Matthew Gray Gubler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-gray-gubler/)

> [The lens is the actor's best critic... showing his mind more clearly than on the stage. You can get wonderful cooperation out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-greenstreet/the-lens-is-the-actor-s-best-critic-showing-his-mind-more-clearly/)

Sydney Greenstreet

> [A screenplay is really an instruction manual, and it can be interpreted in any number of ways. The casting, the choice of location, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/a-screenplay-is-really-an-instruction-manual-and-it-can-be/)

[David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/)

> [“A free spirit lives a free life, not bound by rules but guided by wonder, and in their wake they inspire others to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julieanne-o-connor/a-free-spirit-lives-a-free-life-not-bound-by-rules-but-guided-by/)

[Julieanne O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julieanne-o-connor/)

> [We see the world as 'we' are, not as 'it' is; because it is the "I" behind the 'eye' that does the seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/we-see-the-world-as-we-are-not-as-it-is-because-it-is-the-i-behind/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [There is some information that an actor doesn't need, and that's okay. I can't control everything. I don't want to control everything. Sometimes, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-camara/there-is-some-information-that-an-actor-doesn-t-need-and-that-s-okay/)

[Javier Camara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-camara/)

> [We see the world, not as it is, but as we are -- or, as we are conditioned to see it. When we open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we-are-or-as-we-are-conditioned/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

Browse all 277 Lens quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We see the world not as it is, but as we are.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Stephen Covey"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we-are/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Lens"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we-are/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/stephen-covey-339_lens_we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we_656544.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We see the world not as it is, but as we are.” — Stephen Covey",
                "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": "Stephen Covey",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We see the world not as...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we-are/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-see-the-world-not-as-it-is-but-as-we-are/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
