How many on their deathbeds wished they'd spent more time at the office - or watching TV? The answer is, No one.
Stephen CoveyRead
We judge ourselves by our intentions. And others by their actions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We tend to evaluate our own motives more kindly than we do the actions of others.
This quote by Stephen Covey highlights the common human tendency to view our own intentions in a positive light, while being critical of others based on their actions. It suggests that people often give themselves the benefit of the doubt regarding their motivations, but lack the same understanding when evaluating others, thus pointing to a disparity in judgment that can lead to misunderstanding and conflict in relationships.
Themes
JudgmentIntentionActionRelationshipsPerception
In practice
Example use cases
In a seminar about effective communication, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of understanding different perspectives.
More from Stephen Covey
All quotes βIf you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathic, consistent, loving parent. If you want to have more freedom, more latitude in your job, be a more responsible, a more helpful, a more contributing employee.
Stephen CoveyRead
Listen with your eyes for feelings.
Stephen CoveyRead
If we live out of our memory, we're tied to the past and to that which is finite. When we live out of our imagination, _x000D_ we're tied to that which is infinite.
Stephen CoveyRead
Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people.
Stephen CoveyRead
Keep in mind that you are always saying "no" to something. If it isn't to the apparent and urgent things in your life, it is probably to the most fundamental, highly important things.
Stephen CoveyRead
Similar quotes
One of the hardest challenges posed by the modern world is how to deal with abundance. It's even harder to confront because admitting that it's a problem seems spoiled.
Naomi AldermanRead
Things were somehow so good that they were in danger of becoming very bad because what is fully mature is very close to rotting
Clarice LispectorRead
What you hope, you will eventually believe. _x000D_ What you believe you will eventually know. What you know, you will eventually create. What you create, _x000D_ you will eventually experience. What you experience, _x000D_ you will eventually express. What you express, _x000D_ you will eventually become. _x000D_ This is the formula for all of life.
Neale Donald WalschRead
Every second that passes is like a door that opens to allow in what has not yet happened, what we call the future, but, to challenge the contradictory nature of what we have just said, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the future is just an immense void, that the future is just the time on which the eternal present feeds.
Jose SaramagoRead
One hurries through, even though there's time; the past, the continent, is behind; the future is the glowing mouth in the side of the ship; the dim, turbulent alley is too confusedly the present.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead
Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief.
Jane AustenRead