What does the quote 'see what you want to see' mean?

Answer 1

It means that our perceptions are often coloured by our desires, and so we don't always make the right judgements about what we see. For instance, we might not want to admit that our house is looking shabby, so we see it as comfortable, or I might look in the mirror and see myself as I was twenty years ago! It is often used about the judgements we make about peoples' behaviour. If we like someone we might mistake simple courtesy for a return of interest.

Answer 2

This quote suggests that people tend to interpret information in a way that aligns with their existing beliefs or desires. It implies that our perception can be influenced by our own biases, shaping the way we view the world around us.