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About this quote

What does it mean?
The cause of something may be hidden, but its effect is obvious.
In plain terms
You see the effect but not the cause.
What can you take from it?
Effects are visible, causes are often hidden.

Where it applies

  • investigation
  • science
  • problem solving

Putting it to work

  • look for root causes
  • analyze visible effects

Questions to consider

  • What causes the effects you see?
  • Can you identify hidden causes?

Another view

Sometimes the cause is visible too.

More from Ovid

  1. Medio tutissimus ibis.

    Permalink to quote #21

  2. Fas est et ab hoste doceri.

    Permalink to quote #23

  3. Then the omnipotent Father with his thunder made Olympus tremble, and from Ossa hurled Pelion.

    Permalink to quote #20

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