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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author claims true beliefs are revealed by habitual actions rather than stated creeds.
In plain terms
You can tell what a man believes by what he does not what he says.
What can you take from it?
Actions reveal true beliefs more than words do.

Where it applies

  • evaluating character
  • studying ethics
  • assessing honesty

Putting it to work

  • watch actions over words
  • check consistency

Questions to consider

  • Do actions always match beliefs?
  • How do you judge someone's character?

Another view

Sometimes actions are constrained by circumstances while beliefs remain true.

More from George Bernard Shaw

  1. Self-sacrifice enables us to sacrifice other people without blushing.

    Permalink to quote #126
  2. Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.

    Permalink to quote #128
  3. Two starving men cannot be twice as hungry as one; but two rascals can be ten times as vicious as one.

    Permalink to quote #125

Related quotes

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  3. Men of integrity are generally pretty obstinate, in adhering to an opinion once adopted.

    William CobbettWilliam Cobbett quote #19