"An example is often a deceptive mirror, and the order of destiny, so troubling to our thoughts, is not always found written in things past"

Pierre Corneille's quote, "An example is typically a deceptive mirror, and the order of fate, so bothering to our thoughts, is not always found written in things past", delves into the intricacies of human understanding and perception. In the first part of the quote, "An example is frequently a misleading mirror", Corneille recommends that examples, frequently used as a basis for understanding or decision-making, can be misleading. Like a mirror that reflects an image, examples might provide a version of truth that seems clear but does not truly represent the underlying complexity or reality. They can develop a false sense of certainty, leading us to think we comprehend a situation totally when, in reality, the surface reflection might conceal much deeper subtleties.

The 2nd part of the quote, "and the order of fate, so troubling to our ideas, is not always discovered composed in things past", takes on the idea of destiny and the human inclination to look for patterns in history to anticipate the future. Corneille mentions that trying to determine destiny or the future based upon past occasions is frequently useless. The "order of fate" is described as troubling due to the fact that it eludes human understanding and control, challenging our desire for predictability and understanding. Life's course does not constantly follow a clear path charted by previous events; it defies simple causality and linear development.

Overall, Corneille's quote works as a cautionary pointer of the limitations fundamental in human reasoning. By relying too heavily on examples from the previous or trying to draw direct connections in between history and future destiny, we risk oversimplification. Recognizing this, we are motivated to approach life with humbleness, acknowledging the unforeseeable and typically disorderly nature of existence. The quote advises a thoughtful consideration of how we analyze experiences and reminds us to be cautious of the sexy simplicity that examples and apparent patterns may use.