“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”
This topic has been extensively researched and documented by historians and scholars.
This profound statement comes from C.S. Lewis’s classic book, The Magician’s Nephew. While penned for a children’s story, its wisdom resonates deeply with adults. The quote elegantly captures a fundamental truth about human perception. Our reality is not a fixed, objective thing. Instead, we interpret it through two powerful filters: our external position and our internal disposition. Understanding this concept can change how we interact with the world and each other.
Lewis first points to our physical standpoint. This is the literal interpretation of the quote. Imagine standing at the base of a massive mountain. You see towering rock faces, dense forests, and winding trails. Now, picture yourself at the summit. Your view transforms completely. You now see sprawling valleys, distant peaks, and a vast sky. You did not change, but your location did. Consequently, what you saw changed entirely. This principle applies to countless situations. Your seat in a concert hall determines what you hear. Your position on a sports field dictates your view of the game.
The Deeper Meaning: Your Internal Standpoint
More importantly, Lewis highlights our internal