The truth is not only do appearances never reveal what lies beneath them of their own accord, but also, generally speaking, they never just reveal; they also conceal. No thing, no side of a thing shows itself except by actively hiding the others. They expose and they also protect from exposure and as far as what lies beneath is concerned, this protection may even be their most important function. This is true for living things, whose surface hides and protects the inner organs that are their source of life.
“The truth is not only do appearances never reveal what lies beneath them of their own accord, but also, generally speaking, they never just reveal; they also conceal. No thing, no side of a thing shows itself except by actively hiding the others. They expose and they also protect from exposure and as far as what lies beneath is concerned, this protection may even be their most important function. This is true for living things, whose surface hides and protects the inner organs that are their source of life.”
— Hannah Arendt · Science