Thought is dangerous.
The moment a man begins to think, he begins to assume. And the moment he assumes, he stops seeing.
Assumptions are the refuge of the ignorant. They replace truth with comfort and reality with expectation.
The disciplined mind does not rush to interpret the world. It records it first.
See the movement of the eyes.
See the pause before a reply.
See the tremor in the hand that reaches too quickly for a blade.
Observe everything. Judge nothing.
Only when the truth has revealed itself should thought be allowed to follow.
Therefore remember this:
See before you think.
For the man who thinks too soon sees nothing at all.
— Zephyrion Calderalth
The Seven Principles of Manipulation — I.I: Observation