--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I realize now that people are not…" description: "\"I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before breakfast, after..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba3/dale-carnegie-382_breakfast_i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinki_35350.jpg" --- # I realize now that people are not thinking about you and… ![“I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before breakfast, after breakfast, and right on until ten minutes past midnight. They would be a thousand times more concerned about a slight headache of their own than…” quote by Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba3/dale-carnegie-382_breakfast_i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinki_35350.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba3/dale-carnegie-382_breakfast_i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinki_35350.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba3/dale-carnegie-382_breakfast_i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinki_35350.jpg) > “I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before breakfast, after breakfast, and right on until ten minutes past midnight. They would be a thousand times more concerned about a slight headache of their own than they would about the news of your death or mine.” [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People are preoccupied with their own concerns, caring little about others' fates, even in extreme circumstances. **In simple terms:** Self‑centered focus dominates human attention. Key Takeaway Self‑interest outweighs empathy. Themes self‑interest empathy social perception egoism human nature Mood reflective cynical observational Type observation philosophical social commentary When to use this quote - personal crises - public tragedies - daily routines - media consumption Key Concepts attention cognitive bias social comparison Practical Applications - psychology of empathy - communication training Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑interest shape our reactions to others' suffering? - What can increase genuine concern for others? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Caring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caring/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Midnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/midnight/) [News](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/news/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/mr-darcy-said-very-little-and-mr-hurst-nothing-at-all-the-former-was/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [I spend all morning thinking about lunch, all afternoon thinking about dinner, & all night thinking about breakfast. The Circle of Life. . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-sutter/i-spend-all-morning-thinking-about-lunch-all-afternoon-thinking-about/) [Rick Sutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-sutter/) > [It's weird but it's amazing, and it's great to know people are thinking about you. It's a huge ego boost and anyone that says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-coulton/it-s-weird-but-it-s-amazing-and-it-s-great-to-know-people-are/) [Jonathan Coulton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-coulton/) > [People who are thinking about your music almost as much as you are, that almost never happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/people-who-are-thinking-about-your-music-almost-as-much-as-you-are/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [Really life is about narcissism; no one is ever thinking about you much. You always think people are thinking about you way more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizz-winstead/really-life-is-about-narcissism-no-one-is-ever-thinking-about-you/) [Lizz Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizz-winstead/) > [Don't worry over what other people are thinking about you. They're too busy worrying over what you are thinking about them. If one dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavia-weedn/don-t-worry-over-what-other-people-are-thinking-about-you-they-re-too-2/) [Flavia Weedn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavia-weedn/) > [Egocentricity: The vanity that makes you wonder what people are thinking about you when they are really wondering what you are thinking about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/egocentricity-the-vanity-that-makes-you-wonder-what-people-are/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Psychiatrists declare that most of our fatigue derives from our mental and emotional attitudes... What kinds of emotional factors tire the sedentary (or sitting)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/psychiatrists-declare-that-most-of-our-fatigue-derives-from-our/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [As you go through life's rich tapestry, you realize that most people you meet aren't fit to shine your shoes. It's a sad fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemmy-kilmister/as-you-go-through-life-s-rich-tapestry-you-realize-that-most-people/) [Lemmy Kilmister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemmy-kilmister/) > [You've always got to be happy and realize that there are people in the world who have it worse than you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-chung/you-ve-always-got-to-be-happy-and-realize-that-there-are-people-in/) [Patrick Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-chung/) > [I think viewers realize that people are a lot more three-dimensional than TV has traditionally portrayed them, particularly in news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-cooper/i-think-viewers-realize-that-people-are-a-lot-more-three-dimensional/) [Anderson Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-cooper/) > [P>i always missed people close to me, when alone, but what I failed to realize that people are born to lead their own life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s/p-i-always-missed-people-close-to-me-when-alone-but-what-i-failed-to/) S > [Eventually you come to realize that most people aren't looking for a fight but for someone to surrender to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/eventually-you-come-to-realize-that-most-people-aren-t-looking-for-a/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [At some points, you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart, but not in your life...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/at-some-points-you-have-to-realize-that-some-people-can-stay-in-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Though there may be people in your life that support you and encourage you we have to realize that people are only human, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/though-there-may-be-people-in-your-life-that-support-you-and/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) ## More by Dale Carnegie > [“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/when-dealing-with-people-remember-you-are-not-dealing-with-creatures/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious - because the obvious is what people need to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-deal-with-the-obvious-i-present-reiterate-and-glorify-the-obvious/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [You can make more friends in two months by becoming more interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/you-can-make-more-friends-in-two-months-by-becoming-more-interested/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/the-man-who-goes-farthest-is-generally-the-one-who-is-willing-to-do/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/apply-the-blacksmith-s-homely-principle-when-you-are-speaking-if-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/one-of-the-most-tragic-things-i-know-about-human-nature-is-that-all/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-can-t-sleep-then-get-up-and-do-something-instead-of-lying/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/those-convinced-against-their-will-are-of-the-same-opinion-still/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/each-nation-feels-superior-to-other-nations-that-breeds-patriotism/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [We are gods in the chrysalis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/we-are-gods-in-the-chrysalis/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/don-t-be-afraid-of-enemies-who-attack-you-be-afraid-of-the-friends/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Excitement radiates through your eyes, your face, your voice, your soul, and your whole personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/excitement-radiates-through-your-eyes-your-face-your-voice-your-soul/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Explore all 592 Dale Carnegie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## More Breakfast quotes > [Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans. Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [“Well, maybe you can make me dinner sometime,” he says to me, his voice taking on this silken quality that feels like stepping into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/well-maybe-you-can-make-me-dinner-sometime-he-says-to-me-his-voice/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [Everyday happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/everyday-happiness-means-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-you-can-t-wait/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [Guys wake up at your place and they expect breakfast. They don't eat bagels and M&M's in the morning. They want things like toast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/guys-wake-up-at-your-place-and-they-expect-breakfast-they-don-t-eat/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [My mom cares that I tweeted a picture of my breakfast. She's knows I'm eating and I'm safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dorsey/my-mom-cares-that-i-tweeted-a-picture-of-my-breakfast-she-s-knows-i-m/) [Jack Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dorsey/) > [I'll take the kids to school after breakfast. I love doing that - love being a dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darius-rucker/i-ll-take-the-kids-to-school-after-breakfast-i-love-doing-that-love/) [Darius Rucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darius-rucker/) > [To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/to-become-a-celebrity-is-to-become-a-brand-name-there-is-ivory-soap/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [I always wanted to be a movie star. I thought it meant being famous and having breakfast in bed. I didn't know you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-allyson/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star-i-thought-it-meant-being-famous/) [June Allyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-allyson/) > [I am first one in the gym, I do cardio before I have breakfast, and I am training hard every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jinder-mahal/i-am-first-one-in-the-gym-i-do-cardio-before-i-have-breakfast-and-i/) [Jinder Mahal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jinder-mahal/) > [When I saw 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' and Audrey Hepburn was standing in front of Tiffany's in this Givenchy dress, or when I saw 'All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-whitfield/when-i-saw-breakfast-at-tiffany-s-and-audrey-hepburn-was-standing-in/) [Lynn Whitfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-whitfield/) > [Girl, he wants to dip you in Frosted Flakes and have you for breakfast. That's his favorite cereal, by the way." I...had no words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/girl-he-wants-to-dip-you-in-frosted-flakes-and-have-you-for-breakfast/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [“    Breakfast was ready. He could hear his father asking for coffee. Why did his father have to yell all the time? Couldn't he talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/breakfast-was-ready-he-could-hear-his-father-asking-for-coffee-why/) [John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/) > [Your favorite kind of cake can't be birthday cake, that's like saying your favorite kind of cereal is breakfast cereal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aziz-ansari/your-favorite-kind-of-cake-can-t-be-birthday-cake-that-s-like-saying/) [Aziz Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aziz-ansari/) > [I try to cover three food groups at breakfast. I see that as a licence to eat rubbish for the rest of the day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-millican/i-try-to-cover-three-food-groups-at-breakfast-i-see-that-as-a-licence/) [Sarah Millican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-millican/) > [I want to be challenged I want to work and I want to feel that I am not being held back that there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-vassilieva/i-want-to-be-challenged-i-want-to-work-and-i-want-to-feel-that-i-am/) [Sofia Vassilieva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-vassilieva/) Browse all 1,505 Breakfast quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before breakfast, after breakfast, and right on until ten minutes past midnight. 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