The Mirror

Socrates explains why self-knowledge is almost impossible on your own. He uses an image that is simple and unforgettable.

“Can an eye see itself?” Socrates asked.

“No.”

“What would it have to do to see itself?”

“Look into something that reflects it. A mirror. Another eye.”

“Right. An eye, if it wants to know itself, must look into something that shows it to itself. The soul is the same. It cannot see itself on its own. It has to look into something that reflects it back. That is why self-knowledge is not a solo activity. It requires honest conversation with another soul. Not any soul. A soul that cares about truth. That is what we are doing right now.”

Alcibiades looked at him. “You have been watching me for years,” he said. “Why?”

“Because you have real ability,” Socrates said simply. “People with real ability who do not know themselves tend to do a great deal of damage. People with real ability who do know themselves can change the world for the better. There is a significant difference between those two outcomes.”

“And which one do you think I could be?”

“That,” Socrates said, “depends entirely on you.”