To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Actions reveal true intentions more reliably than words.
- In plain terms
- Watch what people do to know what they really think.
- What can you take from it?
- Judge people by their actions, not their words.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Have you ever been fooled by someone's words?
- What action revealed someone's true character?
Another view
Sometimes people act differently due to circumstance rather than belief.
More from Rene Descartes
To do is to be.
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