"If You Find That Serpents Are All You See, You May Not Be Looking Hard Enough"

The passage below comes from Book 2 of my favorite series by a living author, The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. It describes one of the core messages of this phenomenal book.

"'You mean to say,' said Mr. Benedict after reflecting a moment, 'that you're disturbed by the wickedness of which so many people seem capable. [...] It's natural that you feel as you do, Reynie. There is much more to the world than most children--most adults--ever see or know. And where most people see mirrors, you, my friend, see windows. By which I mean there is always something beyond the glass. You have seen it and will always see it now, though others may not. I would have spared you that vision at such a young age. But it's been given you, and it will be up to you to decide whether it's a blessing or a curse.'

"'Excuse me, Mr. Benedict, but how can it possibly be a blessing to know that people are untrustworthy?'

"Mr. Benedict looked at Reynie askance. 'Rather than answer that, allow me to call attention to the assumption that you're making--the assumption that most people are untrustworthy. Have you considered the possibility, Reynie, that wickedness is simply more noticeable than goodness? That wickedness stands out, as it were? [...] Have you ever had a dream in which, having spied a deadly snake at your feet, you suddenly begin to see snakes everywhere--suddenly realize, in fact, that you're surrounded by them? [...] It strikes me as being rather like when a person first realizes the extent of wickedness in the world. That vision can become all-consuming--and in a way, it, too, is a nightmare, by which I mean that it is not quite a proper assessment of the state of things. ...If you find that serpents are all you see, you may not be looking hard enough'" (The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, pp.36-38).