"The Map Is Not The Territory"

This is an important concept that is used in Neuro Linguistic Programming or NLP.
A map is not the territory it represents. A road map is not the same as the territory. It is one snapshot in time and does not represent reality.

Road maps exclude things like road works, weather, people etc. A territory is always much more detailed than any map created to represent it.

Our personal maps contain our assumptions, perceptions, beliefs and values. So it is important to understand when and how we may be filtering information.

For example, think of a glass full of water. Imagine drinking half of it. Now is the glass half full or half empty? There is no right or wrong answer but the answer will depend on how you view it. Some peolpe will view it in a positive manner and see it half full, while others will see the other way around.

George Bernard Shaw's qoute in this aspect is noteworthy.
" In the right key one can say anything. In the wrong key nothing: the only delicate part is establishment of the key."

You will find that this is precisely right. If you address a person in the right key, you can do anything. If you address him in the wrong key, you can do nothing.