“You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him.”
- May 4, 1929 – January 20, 1993
- British
- Actress, Humanitarian, Fashion Icon, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
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Quote
“You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him.”
Explanation
This quote by Audrey Hepburn conveys a timeless truth about character and perspective. By suggesting that a person’s comments about others reveal more than others’ opinions of him, she highlights how we project our inner values, biases, and insecurities through our judgments. What someone chooses to say—whether kind, cruel, or indifferent—reflects their own worldview more than it does the reality of the subject they’re describing.
Hepburn, known for her dignity and emotional intelligence, likely spoke from experience in a world of public scrutiny and gossip. Her insight serves as a quiet rebuke to superficial reputations and hearsay, emphasizing instead the moral weight of one’s speech. This idea aligns with her broader philosophy of grace and kindness—that how we speak about others is a mirror of our integrity.
In today’s digital age, where commentary on others is often instantaneous and public, her words carry even more relevance. They serve as a reminder that empathy, restraint, and generosity of speech are marks of true character. Rather than judging by reputation or rumor, Hepburn encourages us to listen carefully to how people speak—and thus understand who they really are.
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