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The mind becomes accustomed to things by the habitual sight of them, and neither wonders nor inquires about the reasons for things it sees all the time.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Familiarity can lead to complacency and a lack of inquiry into the nature of things.

Cicero's quote highlights how repeated exposure to certain sights or experiences can dull our sense of curiosity and wonder. When we become accustomed to something, we often stop questioning its existence or understanding its significance, which reinforces a passive acceptance of our surroundings rather than an active engagement with the world.

Themes

MindHabitCuriosityFamiliarityInquiry

In practice

Example use cases

A teacher might use this quote to encourage students to question the information they take for granted.

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