Believe Quote by Daniel Defoe
“He look'd a little disorder'd, when he said this, but I did not apprehend any thing from it at that time, believing as it us'd to be said, that they who do those things never talk of them; or that they who talk of such things never do them.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe, 1722
People often hide their true actions behind words, claiming they never do what they discuss, or that they never speak of what they do.
In simple terms: Actions and words can be contradictory.
Key Takeaway
Watch for hidden motives behind statements.
Themes
deception
self‑deception
social perception
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- business negotiations
- political discourse
- online interactions
Key Concepts
psychology
behavioral inconsistency
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you notice a gap between what you say and do?
- How do you interpret others’ contradictory statements?
A Different Perspective
People may genuinely be unaware of their own contradictions, limiting the insight.
