--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We all have three characters: the one we…" description: "\"We all have three characters: the one we really have, the one we try to convince the world we have, and the one we think we have.\" — Michael Josephson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/michael-josephson-2363_character_we-all-have-three-characters-the-one-we_2924977.png" --- # We all have three characters: the one we really have, the… ![“We all have three characters: the one we really have, the one we try to convince the world we have, and the one we think we have.” quote by Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/michael-josephson-2363_character_we-all-have-three-characters-the-one-we_2924977.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/michael-josephson-2363_character_we-all-have-three-characters-the-one-we_2924977.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f56/michael-josephson-2363_character_we-all-have-three-characters-the-one-we_2924977.png) > “We all have three characters: the one we really have, the one we try to convince the world we have, and the one we think we have.” [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People present three selves: authentic, projected, and imagined, revealing inner conflict and social performance. **In simple terms:** We have real, fake, and imagined selves. Key Takeaway Recognize and align your true self with your actions. Themes identity self-awareness social perception Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal relationships - career - social media - self-improvement Key Concepts psychology authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does your imagined self differ from your authentic self? - What pressures shape the self you present to others? A Different Perspective People may resist confronting the gap between true and projected selves. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Go ahead...try to convince me that horses don't have feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/go-ahead-try-to-convince-me-that-horses-don-t-have-feelings/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret-and that I'll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-neill/consider-the-possibility-that-i-made-a-mistake-i-regret-and-that-i-ll/) [Chloe Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-neill/) > [If you fell head first into a pigsty, you'd try to convince everybody you did it on purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/if-you-fell-head-first-into-a-pigsty-you-d-try-to-convince-everybody/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Either they like you or they don't. Never try to convince somebody of your worth. If a person doesn't appreciate you,they don't deserve you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/either-they-like-you-or-they-don-t-never-try-to-convince-somebody-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Before you meet the love of your life, there's usually one guy you date that you try to convince yourself is him. Let me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-mollen/before-you-meet-the-love-of-your-life-there-s-usually-one-guy-you/) [Jenny Mollen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-mollen/) > [The ego will always compel us to try to convince others we are right. But does it matter? Do we want to be right,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-ego-will-always-compel-us-to-try-to-convince-others-we-are-right/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You know, at the end of the day, I can only be me. I could try to convince you that I'm Leonardo DiCaprio; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-jackson/you-know-at-the-end-of-the-day-i-can-only-be-me-i-could-try-to/) [Joshua Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-jackson/) > [“Chris just watches, but he can't keep his mouth shut for long. "Excellent, everyone is serving me. I'm glad you guys have finally figured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-sherwood/chris-just-watches-but-he-can-t-keep-his-mouth-shut-for-long/) [Kate Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-sherwood/) > [“The greatest thing the devil ever did was convince the world he didn't exist”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kesyer-soze/the-greatest-thing-the-devil-ever-did-was-convince-the-world-he-didn/) Kesyer Soze > [I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-figured-that-if-i-said-it-enough-i-would-convince-the-world-that-i/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Only a man who cannot conquer his deficiencies feels the need to convince the world that he has none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-a-man-who-cannot-conquer-his-deficiencies-feels-the-need-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've been lucky to play characters that are really broad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-yelchin/i-ve-been-lucky-to-play-characters-that-are-really-broad/) [Anton Yelchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-yelchin/) > [I've been very lucky with the roles that I've played in that they were wonderful roles for women. They're incredible, flawed characters that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-taylor-joy/i-ve-been-very-lucky-with-the-roles-that-i-ve-played-in-that-they/) [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-taylor-joy/) > [I love characters who are really dedicated to a really bad plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marti-noxon/i-love-characters-who-are-really-dedicated-to-a-really-bad-plan/) [Marti Noxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marti-noxon/) > [“won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t at least try to convince you of my feelings. Not after that kiss. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-eliot/won-t-be-able-to-live-with-myself-if-i-don-t-at-least-try-to-convince/) [Anne Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-eliot/) ## More by Michael Josephson > [No one is born with good character; it's not a hereditary trait. And it isn't determined by a single noble act. Character is established…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-one-is-born-with-good-character-it-s-not-a-hereditary-trait-and-it/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [America is a song that sounds the best when we all sing together - at least for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/america-is-a-song-that-sounds-the-best-when-we-all-sing-together-at/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/approach-the-new-year-with-resolve-to-find-the-opportunities-hidden/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [The difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is not in the event itself but how you think about it and what you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/the-difference-between-stepping-stones-and-stumbling-blocks-is-not-in/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Pretty isn't beauty. Pretty is how you look; Beauty is who you are. Pretty is in the face and body; Beauty is in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/pretty-isn-t-beauty-pretty-is-how-you-look-beauty-is-who-you-are/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Sportsmanship is the ethical and moral dimension of sports. It is demonstrated by a number of attributes and attitudes such as fair play, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/sportsmanship-is-the-ethical-and-moral-dimension-of-sports-it-is/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Surround our children with a message of honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/surround-our-children-with-a-message-of-honor/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [The key to success is effort. The bigger the goal, the greater the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/the-key-to-success-is-effort-the-bigger-the-goal-the-greater-the/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [“We can't live forever but what we do can change lives forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/we-can-t-live-forever-but-what-we-do-can-change-lives-forever/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don't forget to enjoy the journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/take-pride-in-how-far-you-ve-come-have-faith-in-how-far-you-can-go/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Leadership is not a matter of authority, it is a matter of influence. A true leader teaches others to understand more, motivates them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/leadership-is-not-a-matter-of-authority-it-is-a-matter-of-influence-a/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [People who don't believe in you are right only if you believe they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/people-who-don-t-believe-in-you-are-right-only-if-you-believe-they-are/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [There is within you, waiting to be called, a great source of power called courage. Call its name and it will give you the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/there-is-within-you-waiting-to-be-called-a-great-source-of-power/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [No word makes me happier than the word "daddy" when it's directed to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/no-word-makes-me-happier-than-the-word-daddy-when-it-s-directed-to-me/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Ethics is not for wimps. It's not easy being a good person. That's why it's such a lofty goal and an admirable achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/ethics-is-not-for-wimps-it-s-not-easy-being-a-good-person-that-s-why/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) [Explore all 170 Michael Josephson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) ## 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 > [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. 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