--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Suppose you had inherited the same body…" description: "\"Suppose you had inherited the same body and temperament and mind that Al Capone had. Suppose you had had his environment and experiences. You would the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/376/dale-carnegie-382_als_suppose-you-had-inherited-the-same-body_2311773.jpg" --- # Suppose you had inherited the same body and temperament… ![“Suppose you had inherited the same body and temperament and mind that Al Capone had. Suppose you had had his environment and experiences. You would then be precisely what he was. . . . For it is those things - and only those things - that made him what he was. . . . You deserve very little credit…” quote by Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/376/dale-carnegie-382_als_suppose-you-had-inherited-the-same-body_2311773.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/376/dale-carnegie-382_als_suppose-you-had-inherited-the-same-body_2311773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/376/dale-carnegie-382_als_suppose-you-had-inherited-the-same-body_2311773.jpg) > “Suppose you had inherited the same body and temperament and mind that Al Capone had. Suppose you had had his environment and experiences. You would then be precisely what he was. . . . For it is those things - and only those things - that made him what he was. . . . You deserve very little credit for being what you are - and remember, the people who come to you irritated, bigoted, unreasoning, deserve very little discredit for being what they are.” [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. Our traits are shaped by genetics, environment, and experiences; personal credit is limited. **In simple terms:** We are products of nature and nurture. Key Takeaway Recognize external influences on behavior. Themes nature environment personal responsibility Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - parenting - education - leadership - self‑assessment - justice Key Concepts determinism social psychology Questions to Reflect On - How much control do you truly have over your actions? - Can you change your environment to alter outcomes? A Different Perspective Individual agency is constrained by circumstances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Capone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capone/) [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Irritated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irritated/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Temperament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temperament/) ## Related quotes > [Al Capone's my uncle. The old days were a lot different. The Latin Casino was the big time. When I got there I figured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/al-capone-s-my-uncle-the-old-days-were-a-lot-different-the-latin/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [You had to grow up sometime. The fellows who grew early, they were in jeopardy. They became the cops and the crooks, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kirby/you-had-to-grow-up-sometime-the-fellows-who-grew-early-they-were-in/) [Jack Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kirby/) > [I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smedley-butler/i-helped-in-the-raping-of-half-a-dozen-central-american-republics-for/) [Smedley Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smedley-butler/) > [I had a swell racket. I was rewarded with honors, medals, promotions. l might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-swell-racket-i-was-rewarded-with-honors-medals-promotions-l/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Hell must be a pretty swell spot, because theguys that invented religion have sure beentrying hard to keep everybody else out.— Al Capone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hell-must-be-a-pretty-swell-spot-because-theguys-that-invented/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“So you can imagine what happens when a mainland species gets introduced to an island. It would be like introducing Al Capone, Genghis Khan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/so-you-can-imagine-what-happens-when-a-mainland-species-gets/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [“You’re either at the table, or on the menu. - Al Capone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sapphire-knight/you-re-either-at-the-table-or-on-the-menu-al-capone/) Sapphire Knight > [Putin is like Al Capone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/putin-is-like-al-capone/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [“You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.’ Al Capone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/you-can-get-much-farther-with-a-kind-word-and-a-gun-than-you-can-with-2/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [So while you're imitating Al Capone, I'll be Nina Simone, And defacating on your microphone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/so-while-you-re-imitating-al-capone-i-ll-be-nina-simone-and-2/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [How many gangsters you know, from Al Capone up to John Gotti, been gay?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/method-man/how-many-gangsters-you-know-from-al-capone-up-to-john-gotti-been-gay/) [Method Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/method-man/) > [Someone once accused me of being like Eliot Ness. I sad no sir, I'm not E.N., but I can promise you that I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-stack/someone-once-accused-me-of-being-like-eliot-ness-i-sad-no-sir-i-m-not/) [Robert Stack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-stack/) > [So while you're imitating Al Capone, I'll be Nina Simone And defecating on your microphone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/so-while-you-re-imitating-al-capone-i-ll-be-nina-simone-and/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [I never put my arms around John Gotti, Al Capone or Lucky Luciano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-stack/i-never-put-my-arms-around-john-gotti-al-capone-or-lucky-luciano/) [Robert Stack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-stack/) > [Gangsta to us didn't have anything to do with Al Capone and stuff like that. It's just about living your life the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/gangsta-to-us-didn-t-have-anything-to-do-with-al-capone-and-stuff/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) ## 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/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinking-about-you-and-me-or-caring/) [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/) [Explore all 592 Dale Carnegie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## More Als quotes > [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/) > [You can't ignore reality. You won't wake up one morning and find that the Arabs of Umm al-Faham have become part of Palestine and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ami-ayalon/you-can-t-ignore-reality-you-won-t-wake-up-one-morning-and-find-that/) [Ami Ayalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ami-ayalon/) > [Without a vision there is no possibility of creating something larger than what al-ready exists. An entrepreneur has to be able to bring something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/without-a-vision-there-is-no-possibility-of-creating-something-larger/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > ['Constitutional' is just a real pip of a word. Positively rolls off the tongue. In fact, it's downright fun to say. 'Con-stit-too-shun-al.' It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/constitutional-is-just-a-real-pip-of-a-word-positively-rolls-off-the/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [Everybody who I ever cared about has told me that they like my music: Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Al Green, The Spinners, Smokey Robinson.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-hall/everybody-who-i-ever-cared-about-has-told-me-that-they-like-my-music/) [Daryl Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-hall/) > [Paraphrased: The way of al-Junayd includes among other things abstaining constantly from resisting God Most High in whatever happens to one, whether good or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-ata-allah/paraphrased-the-way-of-al-junayd-includes-among-other-things/) [Ibn Ata Allah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-ata-allah/) > [For Al Gore and Paul Ehrlich and Co., whatever the problem, the solution is always the same. Whether it's global cooling, global warming, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/for-al-gore-and-paul-ehrlich-and-co-whatever-the-problem-the-solution/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Barack Obama became president, and he abandoned Iraq. He left, and when he left Al Qaida was done for. ISIS was created because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/barack-obama-became-president-and-he-abandoned-iraq-he-left-and-when/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [USC is the National Champion like Al Gore is the President of the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-emmert/usc-is-the-national-champion-like-al-gore-is-the-president-of-the/) [Mark Emmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-emmert/) > [Critics have stepped up their attacks on the President for authorizing the National Security Agency to listen to international communications of known al Qaeda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcclellan/critics-have-stepped-up-their-attacks-on-the-president-for/) [Scott McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcclellan/) > [ The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection \[from transgression\]. It becomes rusty as a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becomes-sick-and-its-remedy-is-al/) [Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/) > [Bin Laden was, though, a product of a monumental miscalculation by western security agencies. Throughout the 80s he was armed by the CIA and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-cook/bin-laden-was-though-a-product-of-a-monumental-miscalculation-by/) [Robin Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-cook/) > [ This war \[in Syria\] is going to support Al-Qaeda and the same people that killed Americans in the 11th of September. The second thing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/this-war-in-syria-is-going-to-support-al-qaeda-and-the-same-people/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [Courageous? Courageous would have been admitting weakness and leaving Dauntless, no matter what shame accompanied it. Pride is what killed Al, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/courageous-courageous-would-have-been-admitting-weakness-and-leaving/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And I, the former mystic, was thinking: Yes, man is stronger, greater than God. When Adam and Eve deceived You, You chased them from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/and-i-the-former-mystic-was-thinking-yes-man-is-stronger-greater-than/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) Browse all 894 Als quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Suppose you had inherited the same body and temperament and mind that Al Capone had. Suppose you had had his environment and experiences. You would then be precisely what he was. . . . For it is those things - and only those things - that made him what he was. . . . 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