That's one of Ronald Reagan's many memorable axioms. It's memorable because it's so obviously true. It's built-in into all of us. We'd like to trust, but we can't quite believe we can do so safely. it's the one thing upon which every creature, human and animal alike, agree.
Some say the soul is revealed through the eyes. I say the expression of, "Trust but Verify", is expressed in the eyes. One eye is warmly trusting. The other eye is coldly suspicious.
Does that sounds crazy. Try looking into the eyes of friends, pets - and the mirror.
Do you see it? No? Are you sure?
I took this photo of Lady Tallahassee while she was sitting beside me on the couch, purring. Her right eye is sweetly half-closed. Her left eye is darkly intent and suspicious.
I'm certain I've read this correctly. I've had years to study her facial expressions. They're subtle but clear.
She trusts me very much - still you never know - best to stay alert.
I'm sure you agree.
You may not agree that trust and suspicion are alternately reflected in one or the other eye of every creature. You likely do agree that the impulse to simultaneous trust and suspicion is always present, and never completely settled.
Additionally, a trusting nature is often thought foolish. A suspicious nature is rarely thought benevolent. We sense some connection to goodness in trust. We also sense some connection to wickedness in suspicion.
The sensing is emotional rather than logical, yet
it remains. Should we believe our heart or our head?
Maybe duality of perception is necessary to see truly.
Binocular seeing makes 3-D vision possible. One-eyed Humans are limited without stereoscopic vision. One-eyed Predators can't hunt without it. Maybe what I see in the dual outlook of left and right each eyes is required for
3-D thinking - as well as 3-D vision.
Maybe useful understanding isn't possible without two points-of-view.
One eye trusts. The other eye verifies. Each reflects the left and right side of the brain. The duality gives us the means to see and understand with less bias and greater clarity.
I see the duality reflected in binocular eyes.
You may not. Even so, "Trust but Verify", is the best advice possible in this strange world of inscrutable potentialities.
It also reflects the bi-polarity that links the physical world. Negative or positive electrical charges pull or repel everything from molecular particles, to polar ice-caps,
to galaxies - to us.
Is this omniscient duality visible in the eye?
The left eye and the left side of the brain is rational and inclined to suspicion. (negative)
The right eye and the right side of the brain is intuitive and open to trust. (positive)
Are the negative/positive inclinations of left/right brains reflected in the trust/verify appearance I see in left/right eyes?
Or is it just my imagination?