Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Things can appear true, false, both, or neither; the wise aim to discern reality in all cases.
- In plain terms
- Appearances can be misleading; seek the truth.
- What can you take from it?
- Question appearances.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you test if something truly is what it appears?
- When is it okay to trust appearances?
Another view
Complete certainty is often unattainable.
More from Epictetus
In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.
Permalink to quote #7 Only the educated are free.
Permalink to quote #9 The good or ill of man lies within his own will.
Permalink to quote #6
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