--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think many people believe the best way…" description: "\"I think many people believe the best way they can help others is to criticize them, to give them the benefit of their 'wisdom.' I disagree. The best wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1f/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_i-think-many-people-believe-the-best-way_1179245.jpg" --- # I think many people believe the best way they can help… ![“I think many people believe the best way they can help others is to criticize them, to give them the benefit of their 'wisdom.' I disagree. The best way to help people is to see the best in them.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1f/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_i-think-many-people-believe-the-best-way_1179245.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1f/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_i-think-many-people-believe-the-best-way_1179245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1f/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_i-think-many-people-believe-the-best-way_1179245.jpg) > “I think many people believe the best way they can help others is to criticize them, to give them the benefit of their 'wisdom.' I disagree. The best way to help people is to see the best in them.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticism is less effective than seeing and encouraging others’ strengths. **In simple terms:** Focus on strengths, not flaws. Key Takeaway Empower others by highlighting positives. Themes leadership positivity empowerment Mood encouraging optimistic Type advice leadership When to use this quote - team building - coaching - performance reviews Key Concepts strengths‑based approach psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance praise with growth? - What strengths can you nurture in others? A Different Perspective May ignore necessary constructive feedback. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-way/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Help others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-others/) [Help people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) [Helping others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-others/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Is it too much to expect from the schools that they train their students not only to interpret but to criticize; that is, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/is-it-too-much-to-expect-from-the-schools-that-they-train-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you want to help others and become a person of influence, keep smiling, sharing, giving, and turning the other cheek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-help-others-and-become-a-person-of-influence-keep/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [ “Dehadhyas (the belief that ‘I am the body’) does not leave without \[the grace of\] the Gnani Purush (the Self-realized One, who can help… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/dehadhyas-the-belief-that-i-am-the-body-does-not-leave-without-the/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/what-does-love-look-like-it-has-the-hands-to-help-others-it-has-the/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Our primary purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them at least don't hurt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-primary-purpose-in-this-life-is-to-help-others-and-if-you-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“My Existence is To Praise God and Help Others!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-claudine-mukamabano/my-existence-is-to-praise-god-and-help-others/) Marie Claudine MUKAMABANO > [Once I leave this earth, I know I've done something that will continue to help others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/once-i-leave-this-earth-i-know-i-ve-done-something-that-will-continue/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [Developing our capacity for compassion makes it possible for us to help others in a more skillful and effective way. And compassion helps us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-halifax/developing-our-capacity-for-compassion-makes-it-possible-for-us-to/) [Joan Halifax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-halifax/) > [Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-prime-purpose-in-this-life-is-to-help-others-and-if-you-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People have to be less internally focused and show more of a desire to help others in order to create change for the better,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/people-have-to-be-less-internally-focused-and-show-more-of-a-desire/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [When I Asked God for Strength He Gave Me Difficult Situations to Face When I Asked God for Brain & Brawn He Gave Me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-asked-god-for-strength-he-gave-me-difficult-situations-to-face/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A lot of gifted kids are angels who are on this earth with responsibilities to help others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-silverman/a-lot-of-gifted-kids-are-angels-who-are-on-this-earth-with/) Linda Silverman > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [“My past is what God expects me to use to help others through their present.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/my-past-is-what-god-expects-me-to-use-to-help-others-through-their/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [Get rid of the idea that God wants you to sacrifice yourself for others, and that you can secure his favor by doing so;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/get-rid-of-the-idea-that-god-wants-you-to-sacrifice-yourself-for/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. 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And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. 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