--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...what they have to say about themselves…" description: "\"“...what they have to say about themselves makes me think that there is a lot of ill-directed good in them.”\" — Flannery O'Connor" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/949/flannery-o-connor-639_directed_what-they-have-to-say-about-themselves-m_1496675.png" --- # ...what they have to say about themselves makes me think… ![“...what they have to say about themselves makes me think that there is a lot of ill-directed good in them.” quote by Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/949/flannery-o-connor-639_directed_what-they-have-to-say-about-themselves-m_1496675.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/949/flannery-o-connor-639_directed_what-they-have-to-say-about-themselves-m_1496675.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/949/flannery-o-connor-639_directed_what-they-have-to-say-about-themselves-m_1496675.png) > ““...what they have to say about themselves makes me think that there is a lot of ill-directed good in them.”” [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She observes that people often possess misguided but well‑intentioned impulses, revealing hidden goodness amid flaws **In simple terms:** People have ill‑directed good intentions Key Takeaway Recognize and nurture underlying good in others Themes human nature morality self‑deception Mood reflective empathetic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - family dynamics - political discourse - community projects Key Concepts psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can we channel good intentions correctly? - What safeguards prevent misdirection? A Different Perspective Good intentions can be misapplied or harmful ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intentions/) ## Related quotes > [But it's interesting being directed by someone who is a very good actor. There's nothing like it. 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