²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[a] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!₁

The eye, a window through which our inner selves connect with the external world. When we observe our surroundings—whether objects, nature, or other people—we are not merely analyzing or contemplating. We are also, perhaps unconsciously, projecting our inner state, our spiritual essence, onto the world (people) around us.

This projection is especially pronounced in social interactions. When someone is experiencing emotional turmoil or sadness, often times they ascribe their internal struggles to those around them. This tendency to fabricate a link with inner conflict can even result in the unjust attribution of one’s own misdeeds on to others. It becomes a coping mechanism for deflecting or processing the internal state, often to the detriment of those they project upon, in most cases, loved ones.

Conversely, those who carry inner harmony and trust can project these qualities outward as well—sometimes to their disadvantage. Ulysses S. Grant, for instance, exemplifies this dynamic. Known for his steady, reliable character and emotional balance, Grant often extended his own trustworthiness to others, often to the point of vulnerability. During his military career and later as president, this trait left him susceptible to deception. Both before and after his presidency, Grant fell victim to fraudsters on more than one occasion. In his later years, he was financially ruined when Ferdinand Ward orchestrated a Ponzi scheme that consumed his entire life savings.₂ Stricken by illness* and financial ruin, Grant turned to the pen, composing his memoirs in a final, valiant effort to spare his family from the brink of bankruptcy. During his presidency, infamous events like Black Friday₃—a scandal involving manipulation of gold prices—further illustrated how his trusting nature was exploited, sometimes even by close associates or family members.

Grant’s trust in others reflected his own integrity and inner stability. Yet this projection of his own virtues sometimes blinded him to the negative intentions of those around him. His example highlights the profound interplay between our internal state and how we perceive and engage with the external world.

My grandmother, Mujgan Arik, much like Ulysses, was not able to fathom evil during her life time; she instinctively believed all deeds to be born of goodwill and innocence. Her soul resisted the very notion of darkness, and her eyes would illuminate with warmth whenever one stood before her. She always saw the good in people and simply ignored the bad. In the case of my grandmother—an inherently radiant and benevolent spirit, seemingly untouched by the shadow of malevolence—I have come to perceive such innocence as a subtle form of limitation. To become a fully realized individual, one must embrace a thorough comprehension of both light and darkness. Only through this dual awareness can one traverse the vast and intricate tapestry of existence, where the paths of the virtuous and angelic converge and collide with those shadowed by malice. It is within this delicate interplay that we cultivate the wisdom to discern, to respond, and to resist succumbing to the darker forces that seek to ensnare us. As Friedrich Nietzsche so hauntingly warned, “He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.” Thus, with steadfast discipline and clarity of mind, we must confront the reality of evil, yet ultimately remain unbound by its corrosive grasp.₄

In this age of hyper-materialism—where many will go to extraordinary lengths to deceive, manipulate, in order to extract material gain from others—the wearing of the social masks have become almost second nature. Robert Greene₅ recalls how in Paris it was customary for people to don this mask in the cafés, only to remove it in the privacy of their homes, as though this performance were an accepted social ritual. Yet here in our present time, the phenomenon takes on a different dimension: the boundaries between mask and self blur to the point where one can no longer discern when it is worn or removed. Are the masks worn on all occasions, has the mask took over the original character of the person? Deception becomes a constant undercurrent, especially within marriages, partnerships, and the general dealings of any business. In such a climate, the ability to cut through the masked words and read the eye becomes indispensable—to perceive the hidden motive through the subtle signals that the eyes betray. For the eyes, unyielding to artifice, remain the lantern of the soul.

*At this time, Grant was grappling with throat cancer, which severely impaired his speech and drained his strength. Nevertheless, he persevered and succeeded in publishing his memoirs of the Civil War before his death, thereby securing vital financial support for his family. Here, in US History, we witness a Civil War hero and two-term U.S. president confronting profound financial hardship in a determined effort to avert bankruptcy.

Foonotes:

1. Matthew 6:22-23
2. Grant by Ron Chernow, for further reading on Grant
3. Black Friday (1869) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(1869)
4. Beyond Order, by Jordan B. Peterson, highlights similar notions
5. The 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene, for more reading on social power dynamics and masks

Image Credits:

1. https://www.tallengestore.com/products/seated-bather-art-by-pablo-picasso-large-art-prints?srsltid=AfmBOorjwRyvhYAGcO2ot9W-ap6Yv8Sa3uY_gzoFLMLJsC4BRrQYDB5-