---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We've been taught to believe that actions…"
description: "\"We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all of our lives; we carry these words in our he..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg"
---

#  We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder…

![“We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all of our lives; we carry these words in our head.” quote by Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg)

> “We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all of our lives; we carry these words in our head.”

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

## About This Quote

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

Actions are valued, but words also shape thoughts and decisions, lingering in our minds.

**In simple terms:** Words have lasting power, influencing us daily.

Key Takeaway

Mindfully choose language to shape positive outcomes.

Themes

communication mindset influence psychology self‑talk

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- personal development
- education
- therapy
- leadership
- media creation

Key Concepts

cognitive framing behavioral impact language theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we balance words and deeds?
- What habits help internalize positive language?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on words may neglect necessary actions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Actions speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions-speak/) [Actions speak louder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions-speak-louder/) [Actions speak louder than words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions-speak-louder-than-words/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Loud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loud/) [Louder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/louder/) [Louder Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/louder-words/) [Our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lives/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Speak Louder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-louder/) [Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Words Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-speak/) [Words Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-think/)

## Related quotes

> [Actions speak louder than words you speak less and act more!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neacygirl/actions-speak-louder-than-words-you-speak-less-and-act-more/)

[Neacygirl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neacygirl/)

> [Actions speak louder than words. If you love yourself don't just SAY IT. Prove it by walking away from people that constantly disrespect you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/actions-speak-louder-than-words-if-you-love-yourself-don-t-just-say/)

[Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/)

> [Actions speak louder than words. We can apologize over &amp; over but if our actions don't change, the words become meaningless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-we-can-apologize-over-over-but-if-our/)

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

> [I think 'Actions speak louder than words' is one thing, I think, I always took from my mom. And to this day, I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginni-rometty/i-think-actions-speak-louder-than-words-is-one-thing-i-think-i-always/)

[Ginni Rometty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginni-rometty/)

> [“It has been noted that actions speak louder than words. Truth is, I have found that during many situations in life, words are just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/it-has-been-noted-that-actions-speak-louder-than-words-truth-is-i/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [They say actions speak louder than words, but actions dont speak. People speak, and people are loud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennette-mccurdy/they-say-actions-speak-louder-than-words-but-actions-dont-speak/)

[Jennette McCurdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennette-mccurdy/)

> [Actions speak louder than words, therefore fuck what you heard and go for what you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakii-retondo/actions-speak-louder-than-words-therefore-fuck-what-you-heard-and-go/)

[Rakii Retondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakii-retondo/)

> [Actions speak louder than words...silence speaks volumes...and just being busy with life...well, that's just a clever exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-silence-speaks-volumes-and-just-being/)

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

> [Actions speak louder than words. There is a big difference between what people say and what they do. People might tell you they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-osterwalder/actions-speak-louder-than-words-there-is-a-big-difference-between/)

[Alexander Osterwalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-osterwalder/)

> [Actions speak louder than words, so believe what you see and forget what you heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-so-believe-what-you-see-and-forget/)

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

> [Actions speak louder than words but not nearly as often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-but-not-nearly-as-often/)

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

> [Actions speak louder than words . So, every action I do describe more than my words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-so-every-action-i-do-describe-more/)

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

> [Actions speak louder then words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/actions-speak-louder-then-words/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Actions speak louder than words. It's not the things you say that are important, it's the things you do that prove everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-moores/actions-speak-louder-than-words-it-s-not-the-things-you-say-that-are/)

[Sarah Moores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-moores/)

> [“Bolt actions speak louder than words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-roberts/bolt-actions-speak-louder-than-words/)

[Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-roberts/)

## More by Marlo Thomas

> [I know George Burns was a very happy man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/i-know-george-burns-was-a-very-happy-man/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [“Steady as she goes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/steady-as-she-goes/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [What I love about the theater is the work ethic. I grew up with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/what-i-love-about-the-theater-is-the-work-ethic-i-grew-up-with-it/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [Marriage is like a vacuum cleaner. You stick it to your ear and it sucks out all your energy and ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/marriage-is-like-a-vacuum-cleaner-you-stick-it-to-your-ear-and-it/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [I realize now that I was a feminist and the minute I heard the word I certainly knew it meant me, but at that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/i-realize-now-that-i-was-a-feminist-and-the-minute-i-heard-the-word-i/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [Living with these teenage boys allowed me to see how much their psyches were like their girl counterparts. They were more familiar to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/living-with-these-teenage-boys-allowed-me-to-see-how-much-their/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [I find that balancing my life with my work with the kids at St. Jude, working on books, working on my career as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/i-find-that-balancing-my-life-with-my-work-with-the-kids-at-st-jude/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [I wish someone would have told me that, just because I'm a girl, I don't have to get married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me-that-just-because-i-m-a-girl-i-don/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [Laughter is important, not only because it makes us happy, it also has actual health benefits. And that's because laughter completely engages the body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/laughter-is-important-not-only-because-it-makes-us-happy-it-also-has/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [It's fascinating for us women to begin looking at our lives in five-year plans. It really does help you keep on track. If that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/it-s-fascinating-for-us-women-to-begin-looking-at-our-lives-in-five/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [The Golden Girls certainly proved that there was a large audience for a show about older women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/the-golden-girls-certainly-proved-that-there-was-a-large-audience-for/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [There's no doubt about it... I was born a feminist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/there-s-no-doubt-about-it-i-was-born-a-feminist/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [One woman is a pest and two women is a team, but three women or more is a coalition. If you can bring a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/one-woman-is-a-pest-and-two-women-is-a-team-but-three-women-or-more/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [Never face facts; if you do, you'll never get up in the morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/never-face-facts-if-you-do-you-ll-never-get-up-in-the-morning/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

> [What I'm loving about Hilary Clinton is that she has the job that's been held mostly by men. She's made it her job, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/what-i-m-loving-about-hilary-clinton-is-that-she-has-the-job-that-s/)

[Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

[Explore all 79 Marlo Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/)

## More Action 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/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

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

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all of our lives; we carry these words in our head.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Marlo Thomas"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-actions-speak-louder-than-words-but/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-actions-speak-louder-than-words-but/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b56/marlo-thomas-8603_action_we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-action_2993932.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We've been taught to believe that actions speak louder than words. But I think words speak pretty loud all…” — Marlo Thomas",
                "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": "Marlo Thomas",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We've been taught to believe that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-actions-speak-louder-than-words-but/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/we-ve-been-taught-to-believe-that-actions-speak-louder-than-words-but/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
