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About this quote

What does it mean?
Perception distorts reality when information is distant, making issues seem larger than they truly are.
In plain terms
Things seem bigger when you hear about them from far away.
What can you take from it?
Verify distant information before reacting to its perceived scale.

Where it applies

  • receiving news
  • hearing rumors
  • reading reports

Putting it to work

  • fact checking
  • direct observation
  • calm assessment

Questions to consider

  • How often do you overestimate problems heard from afar?
  • What filters distort your view of distant issues?

Another view

Sometimes distant threats are genuinely large and require urgent attention.

More from Mahatma Gandhi

  1. Howsoever you may repair it, a rift is a rift.

    Permalink to quote #61
  2. Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.

    Permalink to quote #63
  3. The heart's earnest and pure desire is always fulfilled.

    Permalink to quote #60

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