I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.
Interpretation
Actions reveal true thoughts and intentions more clearly than words.
In this quote, John Locke suggests that the true nature of a person can be better understood through their actions rather than their spoken words. He emphasizes the idea that what individuals do reflects their deeper beliefs and intentions, thereby serving as a more reliable indicator of their thoughts and character.
In practice
Using this quote in a discussion about leadership to emphasize the importance of leading by example.
For where is the man that has incontestable evidence of the truth of all that he holds, or of the falsehood of all he condemns; or can say that he has examined to the bottom all his own, or other men's opinions? The necessity of believing without knowledge, nay often upon very slight grounds, in this fleeting state of action and blindness we are in, should make us more busy and careful to inform ourselves than constrain others.
There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men.
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.
Our deeds disguise us. People need endless time to try on their deeds, until each knows the proper deeds for him to do. But every day, every hour, rushes by. There is no time.
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.
One unerring mark of the love of truth is not entertaining any proposition with greater assurance than the proofs it is built upon will warrant.
We have not faith, we have not patience to see this. We trust the man in the street; but there is one being in the universe we never trust and that is God. We trust Him when He works just our way. But the time will come when, getting blow after blow, the self - sufficient mind will die. In everything we do, the serpent ego is rising up. We are glad that there are so many thorns on the path. They strike the hood of the cobra.
It costs God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things: but to convert rebellious wills cost Him crucifixion.
Full circle. A new terror born in death, a new superstition entering the unassailable fortress of forever. I am legend.
The suburbs dream of violence.
Ashram means a community of men of religion. I feel that an ashram was a necessity of life for me.
A symbol always transcends the one who makes use of it and makes him say in reality more than he is aware of expressing.
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