---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every man has three characters - that…"
description: "\"Every man has three characters - that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.\" — Alphonse Karr"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg"
---

#  Every man has three characters - that which he exhibits…

![“Every man has three characters - that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.” quote by Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg)

> “Every man has three characters - that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.”

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People display three selves: outward behavior, inner nature, and self‑perception.

**In simple terms:** Three selves: behavior, nature, self‑image.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the gap between self‑image and reality.

Themes

identity self‑perception psychology

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

psychological philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- self‑assessment
- leadership development

Key Concepts

self‑concept authenticity social roles

Questions to Reflect On

- How does your self‑image differ from others’ view?
- What steps can align your actions with your true nature?

A Different Perspective

Self‑perception may be inaccurate.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Characters Exhibits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-exhibits-4775574/) [Every man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-man/) [Exhibits Thinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhibits-thinks-4775575/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-characters-508248/) [Thinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinks/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/)

## Related quotes

> [Every man has three characters: that which he shows, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/every-man-has-three-characters-that-which-he-shows-that-which-he-has/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [You know, a lot of those angry sort of Southern man characters that I've been doing are based on different people I might've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/you-know-a-lot-of-those-angry-sort-of-southern-man-characters-that-i/)

[Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/)

> [I just don't care about what anyone thinks of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bree-runway/i-just-don-t-care-about-what-anyone-thinks-of-me/)

[Bree Runway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bree-runway/)

> [“Life is too short to care about what other people says and thinks about you. So live life and give them something to talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlene-hansen/life-is-too-short-to-care-about-what-other-people-says-and-thinks/)

[Marlene Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlene-hansen/)

> [Even though you think you aren't in the place you should be in life, God thinks you are or you wouldn't be there at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/even-though-you-think-you-aren-t-in-the-place-you-should-be-in-life/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [You can't be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on doing what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kitavi/you-can-t-be-everything-to-everyone-no-matter-what-you-do-there-will/)

[Jonathan Kitavi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kitavi/)

> [“I like the fact that she thinks. The human face is so legible that it sometimes seems possible to watch their thoughts, the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bradley-rede/i-like-the-fact-that-she-thinks-the-human-face-is-so-legible-that-it/)

[Laura Bradley Rede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bradley-rede/)

> [Knowledge is generally considered a good thing; so, presumably, knowing more about how the U.S. thinks and operates around the world is also good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/knowledge-is-generally-considered-a-good-thing-so-presumably-knowing/)

[Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/)

> [“Here's how man thinks: "If no one's done it, why should I try? It's a waste of my time; but if he's done it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nabil-n-jamal-2/here-s-how-man-thinks-if-no-one-s-done-it-why-should-i-try-it-s-a/)

[Nabil N. Jamal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nabil-n-jamal-2/)

> [You need to worry less about what everyone else thinks and focus on what makes you happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/you-need-to-worry-less-about-what-everyone-else-thinks-and-focus-on/)

[Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/)

> [If he's - the inference is that somehow he thinks slavery is a - is a noble institution I would - I would strongly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-he-s-the-inference-is-that-somehow-he-thinks-slavery-is-a-is-a/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [“And I’m different without you. You’re the only one who thinks you’re never different.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herta-m-ller/and-i-m-different-without-you-you-re-the-only-one-who-thinks-you-re/)

[Herta Müller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herta-m-ller/)

> [“This is the man who thinks too much, who stands back from his life and never lives it. He is caught in a web…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-moore/this-is-the-man-who-thinks-too-much-who-stands-back-from-his-life-and/)

[Robert L. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-moore/)

> [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

## More by Alphonse Karr

> [“I do not believe in any wise man until I have heard him say &lt;&lt; I doubt it&gt;&gt; three times and &lt;&lt; I don’t know &gt;&gt; two times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/i-do-not-believe-in-any-wise-man-until-i-have-heard-him-say-i-doubt/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [The more it changes, the more it's the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/the-more-it-changes-the-more-it-s-the-same-thing/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [The more things change, the more they are the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/the-more-things-change-the-more-they-are-the-same/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [We can invent only with memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/we-can-invent-only-with-memory/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [Uncertainty is the worst of all evils until the moment when reality makes us regret uncertainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/uncertainty-is-the-worst-of-all-evils-until-the-moment-when-reality/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [If women only knew the extent of their power!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/if-women-only-knew-the-extent-of-their-power/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [If men knew all that women think, they'd be twenty times more daring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/if-men-knew-all-that-women-think-they-d-be-twenty-times-more-daring/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [Love in marriage should be the accomplishment of a beautiful dream, and not, as it too often is, the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/love-in-marriage-should-be-the-accomplishment-of-a-beautiful-dream/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [If men knew all that women think, they would be twenty times more audacious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/if-men-knew-all-that-women-think-they-would-be-twenty-times-more/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [I gather from a lawyer that there was a rehearsal yesterday. We haven't a hope. I know the presiding judge too: I've had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/i-gather-from-a-lawyer-that-there-was-a-rehearsal-yesterday-we-haven/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [Dress is the great business of all women, and the fixed idea of some.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/dress-is-the-great-business-of-all-women-and-the-fixed-idea-of-some/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [The more the change, the more it is the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/the-more-the-change-the-more-it-is-the-same-thing/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [Botany is the art of insulting flowers in Greek and Latin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/botany-is-the-art-of-insulting-flowers-in-greek-and-latin/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [Avoid all haste; calmness is an essential ingredient of politeness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/avoid-all-haste-calmness-is-an-essential-ingredient-of-politeness/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

> [Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/some-people-are-always-grumbling-because-roses-have-thorns-i-am/)

[Alphonse Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

[Explore all 36 Alphonse Karr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

[David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/)

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/)

[Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Every man has three characters - that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alphonse Karr"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/every-man-has-three-characters-that-which-he-exhibits-that-which-he/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/every-man-has-three-characters-that-which-he-exhibits-that-which-he/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e2/alphonse-karr-16999_character_every-man-has-three-characters-that-whic_2191554.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Every man has three characters - that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.” — Alphonse Karr",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alphonse Karr",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonse-karr/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Every man has three characters -...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/every-man-has-three-characters-that-which-he-exhibits-that-which-he/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonse-karr/every-man-has-three-characters-that-which-he-exhibits-that-which-he/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
