I tell you, Edward, said my father with some severity, we…
““I tell you, Edward, said my father with some severity, we must judge men not so much by what they do, as by what they make us feel that they have it in them to do. If a man has done enough, either in painting, music, or the affairs of life, to make me feel that I might trust him in an emergency, he has done enough. It is not by what a man has actually put upon his canvas, nor yet by the acts by which he has set down, so to speak, upon the canvas of his life that I will judge him, but by what he makes me feel that he felt and aimed at. If he has made me feel that he felt those things to be lovable which I hold lovable myself I ask no more.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Judgment should be based on the emotional impact and perceived potential of a person, not merely their actions or achievements.
In simple terms: Judge people by how they make you feel they their potential.
Key Takeaway
Assess character through felt trust and inspiration.
Themes
character
trust
potential
Mood
thoughtful
contemplative
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- friendship
- leadership selection
- team building
Key Concepts
empathy
perception
values
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate feeling from fact?
- Can trust be built without evidence?
A Different Perspective
Feelings are subjective and may mislead judgment.