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.
Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. Those who think they are saints, are demons.
The greater the Difficulty the more Glory in surmounting it, and the loss of false Joys secures to us a much better Possession of real ones.
The deepest words _x000D_ of the wise man teach us _x000D_ the same as the whistle of the wind when it blows _x000D_ or the sound of the water when it is flowing.
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - 'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.
But only he who, himself enlightened, is not afraid of shadows.
I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.
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