---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be sure not to discuss your hero's state…"
description: "\"Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions.\" — Anton Chekhov"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg"
---

#  Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it…

![“Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions.” quote by Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg)

> “Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions.”

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

## About This Quote

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

A character's mental state is best shown through actions rather than exposition.

**In simple terms:** Show emotions through deeds, not words.

Key Takeaway

Let actions reveal character.

Themes

character show don showshow authentic showing

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

dramatic educational

When to use this quote

- novels
- personal relationships
- leadership decisions

Key Concepts

playwriting screenwriting character development

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance showing and telling?
- When is internal monologue appropriate?

A Different Perspective

Over-reliance on actions can leave audiences confused without context.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/)

## Related quotes

> [“Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions." ( Letter to Alexander Chekhov , May 10, 1886)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state-of-mind-make-it-clear-from-2/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [In displaying the psychology of your characters, minute particulars are essential. God save us from vague generalizations! Be sure not to discuss your hero's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/in-displaying-the-psychology-of-your-characters-minute-particulars-3/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [Make it clear up front what the aim of the company is. Stay true to your authentic vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/make-it-clear-up-front-what-the-aim-of-the-company-is-stay-true-to/)

[Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/)

> [I am well aware of it myself that I have to be careful. But I want to make it clear that I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-ribery/i-am-well-aware-of-it-myself-that-i-have-to-be-careful-but-i-want-to/)

[Franck Ribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franck-ribery/)

> [I just want to make it clear that I have been working since I was ten years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/i-just-want-to-make-it-clear-that-i-have-been-working-since-i-was-ten/)

[Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/)

> [Sometimes you don’t just want to risk making mistakes; you actually want to make them - if only to give you something clear and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/sometimes-you-don-t-just-want-to-risk-making-mistakes-you-actually/)

[Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/)

> [The path to the belt, I'm trying to make it as clear as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mackenzie-dern/the-path-to-the-belt-i-m-trying-to-make-it-as-clear-as-possible/)

[Mackenzie Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mackenzie-dern/)

> [Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what you now do not know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minna-antrim/practice-what-you-know-and-it-will-help-to-make-clear-what-you-now-do/)

[Minna Antrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minna-antrim/)

> [“We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-have-to-present-a-false-image/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [We are in the ordinary position of scientists of having to be content with piecemeal improvements: we can make several things clearer, but we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-p-ramsey/we-are-in-the-ordinary-position-of-scientists-of-having-to-be-content/)

[Frank P. Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-p-ramsey/)

> [Make sure you're on my level if you think you wanna go toe-to-toe with me 'cause you cannot. Let's make that very clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trina/make-sure-you-re-on-my-level-if-you-think-you-wanna-go-toe-to-toe/)

[Trina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trina/)

> [You want there to be some magical answer that will just make everything clear and easy to understand, and that's just not the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-harrison/you-want-there-to-be-some-magical-answer-that-will-just-make/)

[Chris Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-harrison/)

> [I want to make it clear that I don't want to gut a team that I come to because then it'll be like I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/i-want-to-make-it-clear-that-i-don-t-want-to-gut-a-team-that-i-come/)

[Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/)

> [“Let me make it clear. There will be no repeat of that night. Absolutely not! Not ever, do you understand?” "Who are you trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalpa-williby/let-me-make-it-clear-there-will-be-no-repeat-of-that-night-absolutely/)

Jalpa Williby

> [“If you come anywhere near my daughter, I will see to it that you are taken apart piece by bloody piece. Do I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/if-you-come-anywhere-near-my-daughter-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

## More by Anton Chekhov

> [“Using vile means to attain worthy ends makes the ends themselves vile. Let them ride on the backs of doctors and medical assistants, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/using-vile-means-to-attain-worthy-ends-makes-the-ends-themselves-vile/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/if-ever-my-life-can-be-of-any-use-to-you-come-and-claim-it/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [There are still many more days of failure ahead, whole seasons of failure, things will go terribly wrong, you will have huge disappointments ,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/there-are-still-many-more-days-of-failure-ahead-whole-seasons-of/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“But here was all the timorousness and angularity of inexperienced youth, a feeling of awkwardness, and an impression of bewilderment, as if someone had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/but-here-was-all-the-timorousness-and-angularity-of-inexperienced/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“At the water's edge, barrels of pitch blazed like huge bonfires. Their reflection, crimson as the rising moon, crept to meet us in long,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/at-the-water-s-edge-barrels-of-pitch-blazed-like-huge-bonfires-their/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [Anna Petrovna: Never talk to women about your own good qualities. Let them find out for themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/anna-petrovna-never-talk-to-women-about-your-own-good-qualities-let/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [While you're playing cards with a regular guy or having a bite to eat with him, he seems a peaceable, good-humoured and not entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/while-you-re-playing-cards-with-a-regular-guy-or-having-a-bite-to-eat/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“Lebedev: France has a clear and defined policy... The French know what they want. They just want to wipe out the Krauts, finish, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/lebedev-france-has-a-clear-and-defined-policy-the-french-know-what/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“My holy of holies are the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love, and the most absolute freedom - freedom from force and falsity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/my-holy-of-holies-are-the-human-body-health-intelligence-talent/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“What we have, we do not treasure,” and what’s more we do not even love it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/what-we-have-we-do-not-treasure-and-what-s-more-we-do-not-even-love-it/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [No matter how corrupt and unjust a convict may be, he loves fairness more than anything else. If the people placed over him are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/no-matter-how-corrupt-and-unjust-a-convict-may-be-he-loves-fairness/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“It is my opinion that every woman can be a writer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/it-is-my-opinion-that-every-woman-can-be-a-writer/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“His reading suggested a man swimming in the sea among the wreckage of his ship, and trying to save his life by greedily clutching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/his-reading-suggested-a-man-swimming-in-the-sea-among-the-wreckage-of/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“Experience often repeated, truly bitter experience, had taught him long ago that with decent people, especially Moscow people -- always slow to move and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/experience-often-repeated-truly-bitter-experience-had-taught-him-long/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“Why do you always wear black?” "I am mourning for my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/why-do-you-always-wear-black-i-am-mourning-for-my-life/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

[Explore all 679 Anton Chekhov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

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

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anton Chekhov"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state-of-mind-make-it-clear-from/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state-of-mind-make-it-clear-from/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/anton-chekhov-298_action_be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state_1983944.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions.” — Anton Chekhov",
                "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": "Anton Chekhov",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Be sure not to discuss your...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state-of-mind-make-it-clear-from/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/be-sure-not-to-discuss-your-hero-s-state-of-mind-make-it-clear-from/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
