--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth is we are defined by our…" description: "\"“The truth is we are defined by our actions, not by our intentions.”\" — John Bevere" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png" --- # The truth is we are defined by our actions, not by our… ![“The truth is we are defined by our actions, not by our intentions.” quote by John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png) > ““The truth is we are defined by our actions, not by our intentions.”” [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actions define character more than intentions. **In simple terms:** What you do matters more than what you plan. Key Takeaway Focus on deeds, not just plans. Themes character integrity action Mood thoughtful inspirational Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - personal development - relationships Key Concepts moral philosophy behavioral ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you align actions with values? - Can intentions be truly neutral? A Different Perspective Good intentions can mask harmful actions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intentions/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Remember, people will always judge you by your actions and not by your intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-people-will-always-judge-you-by-your-actions-and-not-by-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-alessandra-tizon/remember-people-will-judge-you-by-your-actions-not-your-intentions/) Lady Alessandra Tizon > [Love is a word, But is to be defined by actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandro-luna/love-is-a-word-but-is-to-be-defined-by-actions/) [Sandro Luna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandro-luna/) > [“My worth is not defined by their actions because their actions are not a reflection of my worth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/my-worth-is-not-defined-by-their-actions-because-their-actions-are/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [“Your Karma is defined by your Actions plus your Intent. A seemingly incorrect action with a pure intent can potentially result in good Karma”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-arora/your-karma-is-defined-by-your-actions-plus-your-intent-a-seemingly/) [Manoj Arora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-arora/) > [A person is defined by their Actions and Attitude !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/a-person-is-defined-by-their-actions-and-attitude/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [“On her worst days, she feared she was actually less. And that truth had defined the rest of her life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-mallery/on-her-worst-days-she-feared-she-was-actually-less-and-that-truth-had/) [Susan Mallery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-mallery/) > [Truth cannot be defined or tested by agreement with 'the world'; for not only do truths differ for different worlds but the nature of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-goodman/truth-cannot-be-defined-or-tested-by-agreement-with-the-world-for-not/) [Nelson Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-goodman/) > [Truth cannot be defined, although it can certainly be experienced. But experience is not a definition. A definition is made by the mind, experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/truth-cannot-be-defined-although-it-can-certainly-be-experienced-but/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Effective thinking consists of being able to arrive at the truth; truth being defined as that which exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/effective-thinking-consists-of-being-able-to-arrive-at-the-truth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You're back where you swore yourself you wouldn't be The familiar shackles you can't tell from your own skin Your head's under water when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanhita-baruah/you-re-back-where-you-swore-yourself-you-wouldn-t-be-the-familiar/) [Sanhita Baruah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanhita-baruah/) > [I've taken my knocks here and there, but I believe my intentions are good. Doesn't mean everything I do is perfectly executed or I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-ve-taken-my-knocks-here-and-there-but-i-believe-my-intentions-are/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [“Our best intentions are the most impactful when they are formed by the actual needs and desires of our community.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-docusen/our-best-intentions-are-the-most-impactful-when-they-are-formed-by/) David Docusen > [A man's intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-man-s-intentions-should-be-allowed-in-some-respects-to-plead-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) ## More by John Bevere > [The enemy of intimidation attacks our soul. It is not defeated through psychology or positive thinking. Our weapon against intimidation is the sword of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-enemy-of-intimidation-attacks-our-soul-it-is-not-defeated-through/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Today the meaning of the word believe has been weakened. In the eyes of most it has become a mere acknowledgment of a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/today-the-meaning-of-the-word-believe-has-been-weakened-in-the-eyes/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Simply put, the promises of God are not automatic; they must be acquired by faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/simply-put-the-promises-of-god-are-not-automatic-they-must-be/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [A lack of compassion for others arises from an unwillingness to forgive their weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/a-lack-of-compassion-for-others-arises-from-an-unwillingness-to/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [True humility is absolute obedience and dependence on God. It puts Him first, others second, and ourselves third in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/true-humility-is-absolute-obedience-and-dependence-on-god-it-puts-him/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [“I will use this period of spiritual training in my life to focus on the greatness of my God instead of the impossibility of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/i-will-use-this-period-of-spiritual-training-in-my-life-to-focus-on/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Jesus never gave advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/jesus-never-gave-advice/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [If we don’t risk being hurt, we cannot give unconditional love. Unconditional love gives others the right to hurt us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/if-we-don-t-risk-being-hurt-we-cannot-give-unconditional-love/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [When we filter everything through past hurts, rejections, and experiences, we find it impossible to believe God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/when-we-filter-everything-through-past-hurts-rejections-and/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [Love forgets wrongs so that there is hope for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/love-forgets-wrongs-so-that-there-is-hope-for-the-future/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [ “Do we honor them for the extras? No, a thousand times no. We \[honor them\] because God gave us the charge to honor all.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/do-we-honor-them-for-the-extras-no-a-thousand-times-no-we-honor-them/) [John bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [If you are still hurting from a past offense, it is because you choose to hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/if-you-are-still-hurting-from-a-past-offense-it-is-because-you-choose/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [The focus of offended Christians is inward and introspective. We guard our rights and personal relationships carefully. Our energy is consumed with making sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-focus-of-offended-christians-is-inward-and-introspective-we-guard/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [It is easy to be loyal to a leader or father who loves you, but what about one who is out to destroy you?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/it-is-easy-to-be-loyal-to-a-leader-or-father-who-loves-you-but-what/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) > [“The reality is, when someone knows the truth, knows the will of God, knows what God has spoken , and yet pushes back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-reality-is-when-someone-knows-the-truth-knows-the-will-of-god/) [John Bevere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) [Explore all 97 John Bevere quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/) ## More Intentions quotes > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [A man's intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-man-s-intentions-should-be-allowed-in-some-respects-to-plead-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“Our best intentions are the most impactful when they are formed by the actual needs and desires of our community.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-docusen/our-best-intentions-are-the-most-impactful-when-they-are-formed-by/) David Docusen > [I've taken my knocks here and there, but I believe my intentions are good. Doesn't mean everything I do is perfectly executed or I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rice/i-ve-taken-my-knocks-here-and-there-but-i-believe-my-intentions-are/) [Susan Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rice/) > [“You're back where you swore yourself you wouldn't be The familiar shackles you can't tell from your own skin Your head's under water when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanhita-baruah/you-re-back-where-you-swore-yourself-you-wouldn-t-be-the-familiar/) [Sanhita Baruah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanhita-baruah/) > [My intentions with love are eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-maelane/my-intentions-with-love-are-eternal/) [Joseph Maelane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-maelane/) > [“Intentions are worthless to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-davis/intentions-are-worthless-to-me/) [Fiona Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-davis/) > [Sometimes our intention is much pure than raindrops , but it it contaminated by others intentions !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mly-ab/sometimes-our-intention-is-much-pure-than-raindrops-but-it-it/) MLY AB > [“Your ultimatum is simple. It’s fair. And it’s stating your own intentions, not what you hope theirs will be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/your-ultimatum-is-simple-it-s-fair-and-it-s-stating-your-own/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [Good intentions do not guarantee good results. Somehow Andrew Keates turns works of merit into evenings of entertainment. Don't call him a dramaturge, call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gambaccini/good-intentions-do-not-guarantee-good-results-somehow-andrew-keates/) [Paul Gambaccini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gambaccini/) > [We are a people as all other peoples; we do not have any intentions to be better than the rest We do not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ze-ev-jabotinsky/we-are-a-people-as-all-other-peoples-we-do-not-have-any-intentions-to/) [Ze'ev Jabotinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ze-ev-jabotinsky/) > [Mr. Chamberlain desires to avert the threat to England's peace by making England, in alliance with Germany, stronger than her rivals and so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernhard-von-bulow/mr-chamberlain-desires-to-avert-the-threat-to-england-s-peace-by/) [Bernhard von Bulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernhard-von-bulow/) > [“If God had good intentions, he would have rewarded the sex.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/if-god-had-good-intentions-he-would-have-rewarded-the-sex/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Dashed hopes and good intentions. Good, better, best, bested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/dashed-hopes-and-good-intentions-good-better-best-bested/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [You have to see if the batsman is coming out, if he is staying back, what his grip is like, to gauge his intentions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/you-have-to-see-if-the-batsman-is-coming-out-if-he-is-staying-back/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) [Browse all 651 Intentions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intentions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The truth is we are defined by our actions, not by our intentions.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Bevere" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actions-not-by-our-intentions/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Intentions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actions-not-by-our-intentions/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/john-bevere-6845_intentions_the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actio_568437.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The truth is we are defined by our actions, not by our intentions.” — John Bevere", "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": "John Bevere", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bevere/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The truth is we are defined...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actions-not-by-our-intentions/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bevere/the-truth-is-we-are-defined-by-our-actions-not-by-our-intentions/#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 } } ] } ```