---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't think for others. Don't think what…"
description: "\"Don't think for others. Don't think what they might be thinking. It's not them doing the thinking, and drawing the conclusion except for you, in whatev..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg"
---

#  Don't think for others. Don't think what they might be…

![“Don't think for others. Don't think what they might be thinking. It's not them doing the thinking, and drawing the conclusion except for you, in whatever you're thinking they might be thinking; you're the only one drawing the parallels in the sand in your way of thinking.” quote by Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg)

> “Don't think for others. Don't think what they might be thinking. It's not them doing the thinking, and drawing the conclusion except for you, in whatever you're thinking they might be thinking; you're the only one drawing the parallels in the sand in your way of thinking.”

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

## About This Quote

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

The quote warns against projecting others' thoughts onto yourself, emphasizing that only you can interpret your own mind.

**In simple terms:** Don’t assume others think like you.

Key Takeaway

Own your own mental conclusions.

Themes

self-awareness perception mindfulness

Mood

introspective cautious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal decision
- relationship counseling
- team meetings
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

projection interpretation subjectivity

Questions to Reflect On

- How often do you assume others share your viewpoint?
- What evidence supports your interpretation?

A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex social cognition.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Positive thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thinking/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Way of thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [I get so engaged when I have a problem you cannot solve that I just cannot break away from what I am doing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/i-get-so-engaged-when-i-have-a-problem-you-cannot-solve-that-i-just/)

[Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/)

> [“You can’t think about thinking without thinking about thinking about something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-papert/you-can-t-think-about-thinking-without-thinking-about-thinking-about/)

[Seymour Papert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seymour-papert/)

> [There are people who think that they are thinking. But that is all they are thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loesje/there-are-people-who-think-that-they-are-thinking-but-that-is-all/)

[Loesje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loesje/)

> [Are you thinking what I'm thinking that I think that you're thinking I'm thinking because if you think that I think what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/are-you-thinking-what-i-m-thinking-that-i-think-that-you-re-thinking/)

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

> [Are you thinking what I'm thinking that I think that your thinking I'm thinking because if you think that I think what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana/are-you-thinking-what-i-m-thinking-that-i-think-that-your-thinking-i/)

[Ana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana/)

> [All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-watson/all-the-problems-of-the-world-could-be-settled-easily-if-men-were/)

[Thomas J. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-j-watson/)

> [Change : the only thing that needs to is our way of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/change-the-only-thing-that-needs-to-is-our-way-of-thinking/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [My meditation is a method of being aware - of whatever you are doing, thinking, feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/my-meditation-is-a-method-of-being-aware-of-whatever-you-are-doing/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [The real purpose of books is to trap the mind into doing its own thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-morley/the-real-purpose-of-books-is-to-trap-the-mind-into-doing-its-own/)

[Christopher Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-morley/)

> [I don't know where you are, but I miss you. I don't know what you're doing, but I'm thinking of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/i-don-t-know-where-you-are-but-i-miss-you-i-don-t-know-what-you-re/)

[London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/)

> [Doing the 'I'm thinking really hard face' when the teacher looks at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/doing-the-i-m-thinking-really-hard-face-when-the-teacher-looks-at-you/)

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

> [I think we all learn by doing rather than thinking about doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-westfeldt/i-think-we-all-learn-by-doing-rather-than-thinking-about-doing/)

[Jennifer Westfeldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-westfeldt/)

> [Be your self! All you are now doing, thinking, desiring, is not you yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/be-your-self-all-you-are-now-doing-thinking-desiring-is-not-you/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [“When everyone thinks alike, no one is doing very much thinking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-von-oech/when-everyone-thinks-alike-no-one-is-doing-very-much-thinking/)

[Roger Von Oech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-von-oech/)

> [The key to success isn't just thinking about what we are doing but doing something about what we are thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/the-key-to-success-isn-t-just-thinking-about-what-we-are-doing-but/)

[Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/)

## More by Geraldine Vermaak

> [In trying not to disappoint others; we disappoint ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/in-trying-not-to-disappoint-others-we-disappoint-ourselves/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Everything that you ever wanted or dreamed about has always been inside of you. You just need to release your faith and believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/everything-that-you-ever-wanted-or-dreamed-about-has-always-been/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [The only reason why things don't change, is because we are still stuck in our old rigid mind sets. Change your thoughts and watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/the-only-reason-why-things-don-t-change-is-because-we-are-still-stuck/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Love; joy; peace; longsuffering; kindness; goodness; gentleness; self-control; faith; hope; forgiveness; joy; patience; brotherly love is the prime currency of the universe - God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/love-joy-peace-longsuffering-kindness-goodness-gentleness-self/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior; found our hearts worthy enough to save, and to entrust us to spread the Gospel. Including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/god-through-jesus-christ-our-lord-and-savior-found-our-hearts-worthy/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [If only people wouldn't base their love on feelings and emotions the world would suffer a lot less of much needless pain. Ask yourself;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/if-only-people-wouldn-t-base-their-love-on-feelings-and-emotions-the/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Put God first and everything else will follow; things will add up too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/put-god-first-and-everything-else-will-follow-things-will-add-up-too/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Obstacles are the pressures for all diamonds in the rough; no way around them only through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/obstacles-are-the-pressures-for-all-diamonds-in-the-rough-no-way/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [I don't believe in making mistakes. I just see them as an opportunity presented to me, to do something the right way; or better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/i-don-t-believe-in-making-mistakes-i-just-see-them-as-an-opportunity/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [It's not about what you are looking for in love, but what love is looking for in you, to heal you and complete you;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/it-s-not-about-what-you-are-looking-for-in-love-but-what-love-is/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Change : the only thing that needs to is our way of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/change-the-only-thing-that-needs-to-is-our-way-of-thinking/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Karma is the most bitter pill to swallow. And the unpleasant after taste it leaves in your mouth is the receipt - to not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/karma-is-the-most-bitter-pill-to-swallow-and-the-unpleasant-after/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [You will never find true love until the day you bring no one else but your authentic true self to the table; and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/you-will-never-find-true-love-until-the-day-you-bring-no-one-else-but/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [It is lawless not to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/it-is-lawless-not-to-be-yourself/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Without trust, there can be no love. It requires a lot of trust to love, because this is the foundation of any successful relationship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/without-trust-there-can-be-no-love-it-requires-a-lot-of-trust-to-love/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

[Explore all 78 Geraldine Vermaak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

## More Positive thinking quotes

> [Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative, more happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/positive-thinking-evokes-more-energy-more-initiative-more-happiness/)

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

> [“Ask anyone; possibly ninety-five percent of their wishes have come true. The unfortunate part is, we all overlook that, and regret all our lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uday-mukerji/ask-anyone-possibly-ninety-five-percent-of-their-wishes-have-come/)

Uday Mukerji

> [It wasn't a mistake, it was a fun learning experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-wasn-t-a-mistake-it-was-a-fun-learning-experience/)

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

> [Constantly look for the good in people and in situations. When you find it, tell the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/constantly-look-for-the-good-in-people-and-in-situations-when-you/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/)

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

> [No matter how badly people treat you, never drop down to their level. It will only excite them more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-how-badly-people-treat-you-never-drop-down-to-their-level/)

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

> [“It is not so much about fighting against the ego; it is more about harmonizing with it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-sara/it-is-not-so-much-about-fighting-against-the-ego-it-is-more-about/)

[Grace Sara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-sara/)

> [POSITIVE THINKING is not about expecting the BEST to HAPPEN. It's about expecting that whatever will happen it is for the best! :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhoni-czhang/positive-thinking-is-not-about-expecting-the-best-to-happen-it-s/)

[JHONI (Czhang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhoni-czhang/)

> [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/)

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

> [My parents were always really positive and had me thinking I could do whatever I wanted to in wrestling or in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cael-sanderson/my-parents-were-always-really-positive-and-had-me-thinking-i-could-do/)

[Cael Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cael-sanderson/)

> [“Don't believe in destiny. Believe in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garima-soni-words-world/don-t-believe-in-destiny-believe-in-yourself/)

Garima Soni - words world

> [Face Everything in your life, it will make you discover many things and you will realize the true meaning of life. Life never seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan-sharma/face-everything-in-your-life-it-will-make-you-discover-many-things/)

[Sushan Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan-sharma/)

> [Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/be-of-good-cheer-do-not-think-of-today-s-failures-but-of-the-success/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus your energy on what you can create.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/instead-of-worrying-about-what-you-cannot-control-focus-your-energy/)

[Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/)

> [Always end a day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow is a fresh opportunity to make it better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/always-end-a-day-with-a-positive-thought-no-matter-how-hard-things/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

[Browse all 2,281 Positive thinking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thinking/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Don't think for others. Don't think what they might be thinking. It's not them doing the thinking, and drawing the conclusion except for you, in whatever you're thinking they might be thinking; you're the only one drawing the parallels in the sand in your way of thinking.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Geraldine Vermaak"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what-they-might-be-thinking-it-s/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Positive thinking"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what-they-might-be-thinking-it-s/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/geraldine-vermaak-8787_positive-thinking_don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what_1598726.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Don't think for others. Don't think what they might be thinking. It's not them doing the thinking, and…” — Geraldine Vermaak",
                "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": "Geraldine Vermaak",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Don't think for others. Don't think...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what-they-might-be-thinking-it-s/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/don-t-think-for-others-don-t-think-what-they-might-be-thinking-it-s/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
