Definitions HQ

An Illusion (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠nature's favourite tool: the true goal is hidden behind a deluding image; we reach for the image, and nature reaches its goal through our deception.

An Illusion (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠avenged when destroyed: he who destroys it in himself and others is punished by nature, the cruellest tyrant.

An Illusion (n.) tells ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠its loveliest lies about the things that are most similar, because the tiniest gap is hardest to bridge.

An Illusion (n.) that ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠makes happy is more pernicious than one with immediate bad consequences: the latter sharpens reason and makes it mistrustful; the former lulls it to sleep.

Illusion (n.) itself ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠belongs to reality — a trimmed world our practical instincts have worked on; that we can live in it is proof of its truth for us.