---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever we meet anyone, our first…"
description: "\"Whenever we meet anyone, our first, almost unconscious reaction may be to look for imperfections.\" — Henry B. Eyring"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg"
---

#  Whenever we meet anyone, our first, almost unconscious…

![“Whenever we meet anyone, our first, almost unconscious reaction may be to look for imperfections.” quote by Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg)

> “Whenever we meet anyone, our first, almost unconscious reaction may be to look for imperfections.”

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

## About This Quote

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

People often focus on flaws, missing deeper qualities.

**In simple terms:** We tend to notice imperfections first.

Key Takeaway

Practice seeing beyond flaws.

Themes

perception judgment empathy

Mood

reflective calm

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- team building
- conflict resolution
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

cognitive bias mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you train yourself to notice strengths?
- What impact does this have on relationships?

A Different Perspective

Overcoming this habit can be socially uncomfortable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Imperfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperfection/) [Imperfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperfections/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Political campaign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-campaign/)

## Related quotes

> [We live in a world where finding fault in others seems to be the favorite blood sport. It has long been the basis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/we-live-in-a-world-where-finding-fault-in-others-seems-to-be-the/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [“I never imagined you'd be so difficult," he muttered. "Maybe that's why you're supposed to meet me when I'm unconscious. So I don't burst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-cross/i-never-imagined-you-d-be-so-difficult-he-muttered-maybe-that-s-why/)

[Sarah Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-cross/)

> [Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it means you've decided to look beyond imperfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-happy-doesn-t-mean-everything-s-perfect-it-means-you-ve-decided/)

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

> [Being happy doesnt mean everything is perfect. It means youve decided to look beyond imperfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-pajaron/being-happy-doesnt-mean-everything-is-perfect-it-means-youve-decided/)

Jenny\_pajaron

> [Being happy doesn't mean things are perfect. It just means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-happy-doesn-t-mean-things-are-perfect-it-just-means-you-ve/)

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

> [Being happy does not mean at all that things are perfect. It clearly means you have decided to peep into and look beyond imperfections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/being-happy-does-not-mean-at-all-that-things-are-perfect-it-clearly/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections…But then When U Face Choices... Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-e-ruyembe/being-happy-doesn-t-mean-that-everything-is-perfect-it-means-that-you-2/)

J.E Ruyembe

> [Being happy doesn't mean every things perfect it just means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rev-run-2/being-happy-doesn-t-mean-every-things-perfect-it-just-means-you-ve/)

[Rev Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rev-run-2/)

> [Being happy ¦. Doesnt mean everything is perfect¦. It means you have decided to look¦.. Beyond the Imperfections¦.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/being-happy-doesnt-mean-everything-is-perfect-it-means-you-have/)

[Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/)

> [Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond imperfections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-happy-doesn-t-mean-that-everything-is-perfect-it-means-that-you/)

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

> [Being happy doesnt mean that everything is perfect. it means that youve decided to look beyond the imperfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-happy-doesnt-mean-that-everything-is-perfect-it-means-that/)

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

> [“Being peaceful doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystal-volney/being-peaceful-doesn-t-mean-that-everything-is-perfect-it-means-that/)

[Krystal Volney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystal-volney/)

> [Being happy doesn't mean you're perfect. It just means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kb/being-happy-doesn-t-mean-you-re-perfect-it-just-means-you-ve-decided/)

KB

> [“We must also know for ourselves that the Lord restored His Church and the priesthood keys through the Prophet Joseph Smith. And we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/we-must-also-know-for-ourselves-that-the-lord-restored-his-church-and/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [“Happiness is really about deciding to look beyond the imperfections and find beauty and joy in what is, right now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-a-white/happiness-is-really-about-deciding-to-look-beyond-the-imperfections/)

[Jeffrey A. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-a-white/)

## More by Henry B. Eyring

> [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [So many things beat upon us in a lifetime that simply enduring may seem almost beyond us… But the test a loving God has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/so-many-things-beat-upon-us-in-a-lifetime-that-simply-enduring-may/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [If you ponder the scriptures and begin to do what you covenanted with God to do, I can promise you that you will feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/if-you-ponder-the-scriptures-and-begin-to-do-what-you-covenanted-with/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [For us to know that the Book of Mormon is true, we must read it and make the choice found in Moroni: pray to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/for-us-to-know-that-the-book-of-mormon-is-true-we-must-read-it-and/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [The good word of the Lord with which we must nourish is the simple doctrine of the gospel. We need not fear either simplicity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/the-good-word-of-the-lord-with-which-we-must-nourish-is-the-simple/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [Heavenly Father hears your prayers, He loves you. He knows your name. He loves you beyond your ability to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/heavenly-father-hears-your-prayers-he-loves-you-he-knows-your-name-he/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/if-we-have-faith-in-jesus-christ-the-hardest-as-well-as-the-easiest/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [Discord or jealousy inhibits the ability of the Holy Ghost to teach us and inhibits our ability to receive light and truth. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/discord-or-jealousy-inhibits-the-ability-of-the-holy-ghost-to-teach/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [At this and every season, our Savior invites us to join with HIM and others to offer the priceless gift of JOY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/at-this-and-every-season-our-savior-invites-us-to-join-with-him-and/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [We help God's children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and in His restored gospel when they are young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/we-help-god-s-children-best-by-providing-ways-to-build-faith-in-jesus/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [In the priesthood we share the sacred duty to labor for the souls of men. We must do more than learn that this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/in-the-priesthood-we-share-the-sacred-duty-to-labor-for-the-souls-of/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/you-need-never-be-discouraged-or-afraid-the-way-through-difficulties/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [“When you walk in the light, you will feel some of the warmth and the happiness that will finally be yours when you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/when-you-walk-in-the-light-you-will-feel-some-of-the-warmth-and-the/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [I perceive myself as rather uninhibited, with a certain mathematical facility and more interest in the broad aspect of a problem than the delicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-perceive-myself-as-rather-uninhibited-with-a-certain-mathematical/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [Heavenly Father and the Savior are grateful that you do your part. They know you, They watch over you, and They love you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/heavenly-father-and-the-savior-are-grateful-that-you-do-your-part/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

[Explore all 294 Henry B. Eyring quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

## More Firsts quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and could not afford it, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/my-first-ever-job-after-college-was-as-a-flight-attendant-i-wanted-to/)

[Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/)

> [Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-on-slumdog-millionaire-we-have/)

[A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/)

> [You sort of can't talk about the post production unless you talk about what comes first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-greengrass/you-sort-of-can-t-talk-about-the-post-production-unless-you-talk/)

[Paul Greengrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-greengrass/)

> [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/)

[Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/)

> [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/)

[Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/)

> [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/)

[Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/)

> [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/)

[Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/)

> [When I first started, my message was about joy, but I didn't really have the vocabulary and life experience to fully deliver it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/when-i-first-started-my-message-was-about-joy-but-i-didn-t-really/)

[Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/)

> [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/)

[Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/)

> [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/)

[Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/)

> [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/)

[Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/)

> [Meanwhile someone is shining my head to get it dry to attach my top-hat to my head with toupee tape. I get into microphone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/meanwhile-someone-is-shining-my-head-to-get-it-dry-to-attach-my-top/)

[Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/)

> [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/)

[Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/)

Browse all 32,432 Firsts quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Whenever we meet anyone, our first, almost unconscious reaction may be to look for imperfections.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Henry B. Eyring"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost-unconscious-reaction-may-be/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Firsts"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost-unconscious-reaction-may-be/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b37/henry-b-eyring-1096_firsts_whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost_594687.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Whenever we meet anyone, our first, almost unconscious reaction may be to look for imperfections.” — Henry B. Eyring",
                "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": "Henry B. Eyring",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Whenever we meet anyone, our first,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost-unconscious-reaction-may-be/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/whenever-we-meet-anyone-our-first-almost-unconscious-reaction-may-be/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
