--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's too easy to sum up a person's…" description: "\"It's too easy to sum up a person's character in one negative instant, and it doesn't put anything good out into the world.\" — Hope Davis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png" --- # It's too easy to sum up a person's character in one… ![“It's too easy to sum up a person's character in one negative instant, and it doesn't put anything good out into the world.” quote by Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png) > “It's too easy to sum up a person's character in one negative instant, and it doesn't put anything good out into the world.” [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Judging someone solely by a single negative moment misrepresents their whole character and hinders positive impact. **In simple terms:** One bad moment shouldn't define a person. Key Takeaway Avoid snap judgments. Themes empathy character judgment Mood reflective thoughtful Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace dynamics - conflict resolution - media criticism Key Concepts psychology social perception Questions to Reflect On - How might you view someone differently if you knew more about them? - What effects do quick judgments have on community? A Different Perspective People are complex; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-negative-4028498/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Instant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instant/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Negative Instant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-instant-5453976/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Person Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-character/) [Person's Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons-character/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Too easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-easy/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Children are ingenuous. They are also blessed with uncanny ability to read a person's character instantly. Even though they are inexperienced and unsophisticated, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wess-stafford/children-are-ingenuous-they-are-also-blessed-with-uncanny-ability-to/) [Wess Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wess-stafford/) > [“I have one outstanding trait in my character, which must strike anyone who knows me for any length of time, and that is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/i-have-one-outstanding-trait-in-my-character-which-must-strike-anyone/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [Something of a person's character may be observed by how they smile. Some never smile they only grin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/something-of-a-person-s-character-may-be-observed-by-how-they-smile/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [“ The distinction of one person's character can be illustrated by this word : attitude ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ency-bearis/the-distinction-of-one-person-s-character-can-be-illustrated-by-this/) [Ency Bearis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ency-bearis/) > [“Don't be fool enough to think you can know a person's character after a few moments of observation. You can't. You have no idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/don-t-be-fool-enough-to-think-you-can-know-a-person-s-character-after/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [With thought, patience, and discrimination, book passion becomes the signature of a person's character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-a-basbanes/with-thought-patience-and-discrimination-book-passion-becomes-the/) [Nicholas A. Basbanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-a-basbanes/) > [The public, unlike our governing elite, are not obsessed by race and sex. They are rightly interested only in the contents of the person's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hitchens/the-public-unlike-our-governing-elite-are-not-obsessed-by-race-and/) [Peter Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hitchens/) > [“I've found that he way a person feels about cats-and the way they feel about him or her in return-is usually an excellent gauge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-found-that-he-way-a-person-feels-about-cats-and-the-way-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Past a certain point, maybe, a person's character defines itself and stays fixed in your mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-galgut/past-a-certain-point-maybe-a-person-s-character-defines-itself-and/) [Damon Galgut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-galgut/) > [And very often the influence exerted on a person's character by the amount of his income is hardly less, if it is less, than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-marshall/and-very-often-the-influence-exerted-on-a-person-s-character-by-the/) [Alfred Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-marshall/) > [“Those who try and destroy another person's character with lies...end up destroying themselves in the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/those-who-try-and-destroy-another-person-s-character-with-lies-end-up/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [A person's character is but half formed till after wedlock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/a-person-s-character-is-but-half-formed-till-after-wedlock/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/the-final-forming-of-a-person-s-character-lies-in-their-own-hands/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [“At my age I don't need references. I can judge a person's character before they've said a hundred words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryann-mcfadden/at-my-age-i-don-t-need-references-i-can-judge-a-person-s-character/) [Maryann McFadden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryann-mcfadden/) > [Quality of work is directly related to the quality of a person's character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/quality-of-work-is-directly-related-to-the-quality-of-a-person-s/) [Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/) ## More by Hope Davis > [I always step on the plane with my right foot and touch the outside of the plane with my left hand. Sometimes you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-always-step-on-the-plane-with-my-right-foot-and-touch-the-outside/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I'm a New Yorker, and I rarely get to work at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-m-a-new-yorker-and-i-rarely-get-to-work-at-home/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I haven't frequented a nail salon in a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-haven-t-frequented-a-nail-salon-in-a-long-time/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I have not spent years in therapy; I tried therapy in my mid-twenties, and it did not go very well. I just thought, 'This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-have-not-spent-years-in-therapy-i-tried-therapy-in-my-mid-twenties/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [You know what I have noticed? And this is really sad. Flying first class is less scary than flying coach. They speak to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/you-know-what-i-have-noticed-and-this-is-really-sad-flying-first/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I like to work. I enjoy once a year, doing a film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-like-to-work-i-enjoy-once-a-year-doing-a-film/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I feel like I'm one of the happiest people I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-feel-like-i-m-one-of-the-happiest-people-i-know/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I love stories that give me a perspective on how easy American life has become in the 21st century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-love-stories-that-give-me-a-perspective-on-how-easy-american-life/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I'm not at a point in my life when I'm analyzing too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-m-not-at-a-point-in-my-life-when-i-m-analyzing-too-much/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [There's nothing I love more than a good cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/there-s-nothing-i-love-more-than-a-good-cry/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I have not spent years in therapy; I tried therapy in my mid-twenties, and it did not go very well. I just thought, 'This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-have-not-spent-years-in-therapy-i-tried-therapy-in-my-mid-twenties-2/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I just love to make a whole roomful of people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-just-love-to-make-a-whole-roomful-of-people-laugh/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I would do 'American Splendor' and 'About Schmidt' again in a heartbeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-would-do-american-splendor-and-about-schmidt-again-in-a-heartbeat/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [I've seen a lot of the United States, having stayed in so many different cities and towns for work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-the-united-states-having-stayed-in-so-many/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [Every summer my husband and I pack our suitcases, load our kids into the car, and drive from tense, crowded New York City to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/every-summer-my-husband-and-i-pack-our-suitcases-load-our-kids-into/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) [Explore all 34 Hope Davis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's too easy to sum up a person's character in one negative instant, and it doesn't put anything good out into the world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hope Davis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-character-in-one-negative-instant/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-character-in-one-negative-instant/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/hope-davis-18447_character_it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-chara_1492096.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's too easy to sum up a person's character in one negative instant, and it doesn't put anything good out…” — Hope Davis", "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": "Hope Davis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's too easy to sum up...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-character-in-one-negative-instant/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/it-s-too-easy-to-sum-up-a-person-s-character-in-one-negative-instant/#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 } } ] } ```