It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say 'It's as plain as the nose on your face.' But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?
Interpretation
Often, the most evident truths are the hardest for us to recognize without guidance or reflection.
Isaac Asimov highlights the challenge of perceiving obvious truths in our lives. He suggests that, just as we cannot easily see our own nose without a mirror, we often overlook the obvious aspects of our existence and reality unless someone or something prompts us to reflect on them. This insight speaks to the human tendency to miss straightforward truths that are fundamental to our understanding.
In practice
In a discussion about personal growth, one can use this quote to emphasize the importance of self-reflection.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
For better or worse, intelligence can come to nothing when emotions hold sway.
I have absolutely no objection to growing older. I am a stroke survivor so I am extremely grateful to be ageing - I have nothing but gratitude for the passing years. I am ageing - lucky, lucky me!
My father once told me that anyone who worked for three dollars an hour owed it to himself to put in four dollars' worth of work.
You haven't yet opened your heart fully, to life, to each moment. The peaceful warrior's way is not about invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability--to the world, to life, and to the Presence you felt. All along I've shown you by example that a warrior's life is not about imagined perfection or victory; it is about love. Love is a warrior's sword; wherever it cuts, it gives life, not death.
This really should be kept secret, but you can learn a lot by watching the making-of DVDs. Every actor should do it. You figure out what you're dealing with.
Don't raise your voice, improve your argument." _x000D_ _x000D_ [Address at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa, 23 November 2004]
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.