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About this quote

What does it mean?
Form your own judgments about people rather than relying on what others say about them. Secondhand stories distort reality.
In plain terms
Judge people by your own observations, not by what others tell you.
What can you take from it?
Avoid forming opinions based on gossip or secondhand stories.

Where it applies

  • meeting new people
  • hearing rumors
  • forming opinions

Putting it to work

  • observe directly
  • verify claims

Questions to consider

  • How often do you trust others opinions over experience?
  • What biases might your sources have?

Another view

Sometimes secondhand information is all you have available.

More from G. I. Gurdjieff

  1. Respect every religion.

    Permalink to quote #42
  2. By teaching others you will learn yourself.

    Permalink to quote #44
  3. Only help him who is not an idler.

    Permalink to quote #41

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