“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
What this quote means
This quote reminds us that our perception of the world is subjective. What we hear is filtered by our biases and experiences, and what we see is colored by our perspective. By recognizing this, we become more humble and open to other viewpoints. It frees us from the illusion of certainty and encourages us to seek truth beyond appearances.
How to apply it daily
In a conversation, consciously note that the other person has their own perspective. Ask questions to understand their point of view before judging.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Marcus Aurelius?
Our starting point
Discovering Stoicism through short reflections
Meditations
The most direct way to encounter the themes behind the quotes: attention, duty, and control over what depends on us.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 4–6 hours, best read slowly
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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More quotes by Marcus Aurelius
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“I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.”Create visual
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”Create visual
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