--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The old thing when you're pointing your…" description: "\"“The old thing when you're pointing your finger, there's three fingers pointing back. And so I always tell people that whatever you focus on, you get m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/oprah-winfrey-186_pointing_the-old-thing-when-you-re-pointing-your_541850.jpg" --- # The old thing when you're pointing your finger, there's… ![“The old thing when you're pointing your finger, there's three fingers pointing back. And so I always tell people that whatever you focus on, you get more of. So if I'm gossiping about someone that I'm judging or being negative about, then I'm actually creating more negativity inside of me, and I'm…” quote by Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/oprah-winfrey-186_pointing_the-old-thing-when-you-re-pointing-your_541850.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/oprah-winfrey-186_pointing_the-old-thing-when-you-re-pointing-your_541850.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/422/oprah-winfrey-186_pointing_the-old-thing-when-you-re-pointing-your_541850.jpg) > ““The old thing when you're pointing your finger, there's three fingers pointing back. And so I always tell people that whatever you focus on, you get more of. So if I'm gossiping about someone that I'm judging or being negative about, then I'm actually creating more negativity inside of me, and I'm not focusing on what I want.”” [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on negative thoughts amplifies negativity within yourself; redirect attention to positive intentions. **In simple terms:** Negative focus creates more negativity; shift to positivity. Key Takeaway Choose what you focus on. Themes self-awareness mindset personal growth Mood reflective motivational Type advice self-help When to use this quote - personal relationships - self-talk - media consumption - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology attention theory Questions to Reflect On - What negative thought do you repeat often? - How can you consciously redirect your focus? A Different Perspective Negativity can be reinforced by external pressures, making it hard to shift focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creating Negativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creating-negativity-4528637/) [Fingers Pointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fingers-pointing-534481/) [Focus Gossiping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus-gossiping-4528636/) [Pointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointing/) [Pointing Finger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointing-finger/) ## Related quotes > [Pointing one finger at someone. Remember the four fingers pointing back at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-kel/pointing-one-finger-at-someone-remember-the-four-fingers-pointing/) [Don Kel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-kel/) > [“And so, pointing fingers become pointing guns, because nobody listens to fingers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-shaara/and-so-pointing-fingers-become-pointing-guns-because-nobody-listens/) [Jeff Shaara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-shaara/) > [There is no point in pointing fingers because there are three fingers pointing back at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hansika-motwani/there-is-no-point-in-pointing-fingers-because-there-are-three-fingers/) [Hansika Motwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hansika-motwani/) > [There is an old and very wise Native American saying: Every time you point a finger in scorn—there are three remaining fingers pointing right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-noel/there-is-an-old-and-very-wise-native-american-saying-every-time-you/) [Alyson Noel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-noel/) > [Don't point fingers, Because there's three pointing back at you..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-point-fingers-because-there-s-three-pointing-back-at-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you point your finger 'cause your plan fell through You got three more fingers pointing back at you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-knopfler/when-you-point-your-finger-cause-your-plan-fell-through-you-got-three/) [Mark Knopfler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-knopfler/) > [“Never forget that when you point the finger at someone, three of your own fingers are pointing back at you...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-forget-that-when-you-point-the-finger-at-someone-three-of-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When you point a finger at someone, always remember that three fingers are pointing back at you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-j-slywotzky/when-you-point-a-finger-at-someone-always-remember-that-three-fingers/) [Adrian J. Slywotzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-j-slywotzky/) > [Never point your finger at some one, you will always have three fingers pointing back at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaz/never-point-your-finger-at-some-one-you-will-always-have-three/) [Jaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaz/) > [Everybody wants to take responsibility when you win, but when you fail, all these fingers are pointing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/everybody-wants-to-take-responsibility-when-you-win-but-when-you-fail/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that three of his fingers are pointing at himself. Do not worry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-a-man-points-a-finger-at-someone-else-he-should-remember-that/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/now-if-you-know-what-you-re-worth-then-go-out-and-get-what-you-re/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [I'm not interested in, you know, turning the clock back or pointing fingers, but I am interested in trying to figure out how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-m-not-interested-in-you-know-turning-the-clock-back-or-pointing/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Studios just sometimes make decisions on their own that you're always flabbergasted by. It just happens that way for whatever reason - not even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/studios-just-sometimes-make-decisions-on-their-own-that-you-re-always/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [Television is a new, hard test of our wisdom. If we succeed in mastering the new medium it will enrich us. But it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-arnheim/television-is-a-new-hard-test-of-our-wisdom-if-we-succeed-in/) [Rudolf Arnheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-arnheim/) ## More by Oprah Winfrey > [I've seen that many times in rural African villages where people have nothing but a hut and a bowl. The joy in the children's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-ve-seen-that-many-times-in-rural-african-villages-where-people-have/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [These French-style caramels are handmade in California. It's always hard to give them away!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/these-french-style-caramels-are-handmade-in-california-it-s-always/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-was-in-a-conversation-and-someone-said-you-know-we-were-talking/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [“Forgiveness is about letting go of the past and not holding on to it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/forgiveness-is-about-letting-go-of-the-past-and-not-holding-on-to-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [The deepest courage we can exercise is continuing to believe in our dreams until we make them come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/the-deepest-courage-we-can-exercise-is-continuing-to-believe-in-our/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [If you can see it, and believe it, it is a LOT easier to achieve it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/if-you-can-see-it-and-believe-it-it-is-a-lot-easier-to-achieve-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It's why you were born. And how you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/there-is-no-greater-gift-you-can-give-or-receive-than-to-honor-your/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Gratitude is the single greatest treasure I will take with me from this experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/gratitude-is-the-single-greatest-treasure-i-will-take-with-me-from/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I am disappointed by this controversy surrounding A Million Little Pieces because I rely on the publishers to define the category that a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-am-disappointed-by-this-controversy-surrounding-a-million-little/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Keep a grateful journal. Every night, list five things that you are grateful for. What it will begin to do is change our perspective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/keep-a-grateful-journal-every-night-list-five-things-that-you-are/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-want-every-day-to-be-a-fresh-start-on-expanding-what-is-possible/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [We often block our own blessings because we don't feel inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or worthy enough... You're worthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/we-often-block-our-own-blessings-because-we-don-t-feel-inherently/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [One if the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/one-if-the-hardest-things-in-life-to-learn-are-which-bridges-to-cross/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [You must feed your mind with reading material, thoughts, and ideas that open you to new possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/you-must-feed-your-mind-with-reading-material-thoughts-and-ideas-that/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Your soul tells you when it's time to move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/your-soul-tells-you-when-it-s-time-to-move-on/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) [Explore all 971 Oprah Winfrey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) ## More Pointing quotes > [You're getting into some kind of shape, cop." Aw, come on, now." Butch grinned. "Don't let that shower we took go to your head."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/you-re-getting-into-some-kind-of-shape-cop-aw-come-on-now-butch/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Every study on chocolate is pointing to the same conclusion: there is something in chocolate that is really good for us. That something is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolfe/every-study-on-chocolate-is-pointing-to-the-same-conclusion-there-is/) [David Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wolfe/) > [ I glanced at Radu. "What, exactly is Louis-Cesare's problem?'. \[..\] Suddenly a speculative gleam lit his eyes. It made me nervous. 'He tends to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-chance/i-glanced-at-radu-what-exactly-is-louis-cesare-s-problem-suddenly-a/) [Karen Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-chance/) > [Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/whatever-the-problem-be-part-of-the-solution-don-t-just-sit-around/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [ The opening for solid waste is very small \[in the space ship\]. It's not toilet-bowl size. And aim is critical. To be honest with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mullane/the-opening-for-solid-waste-is-very-small-in-the-space-ship-it-s-not/) [Mike Mullane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mullane/) > [Always look on the bright side...unless you're holding a laser pointing device.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-look-on-the-bright-side-unless-you-re-holding-a-laser-pointing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My son Bill, who came to me in 1960-he was 14 then, quoted the old parable to me: "It is not by their words,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/my-son-bill-who-came-to-me-in-1960-he-was-14-then-quoted-the-old/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [Nothing annoys academics more than pointing out how little time they actually spend teaching students.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sykes/nothing-annoys-academics-more-than-pointing-out-how-little-time-they/) [Charlie Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sykes/) > [Would you want people walking up to you and pointing at your d--k? I can't believe I'm still talking about this. But I've worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hamm/would-you-want-people-walking-up-to-you-and-pointing-at-your-d-k-i/) [Jon Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hamm/) > [I had a map on my wall that had a circle around Lubbock and then giant arrows pointing toward New York City and Los…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-corbin/i-had-a-map-on-my-wall-that-had-a-circle-around-lubbock-and-then/) [Barry Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-corbin/) > [I can't stop pointing to the beauty. Every moment and place says, 'Put this design in your carpet!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/i-can-t-stop-pointing-to-the-beauty-every-moment-and-place-says-put/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [You've got to do everything, everything's got to be pointing in the same direction and you've got to really turn this whole economic engine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-kolbert/you-ve-got-to-do-everything-everything-s-got-to-be-pointing-in-the/) [Elizabeth Kolbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kolbert/) > [Convinced that the republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/convinced-that-the-republican-is-the-only-form-of-government-which-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Hermione, will you please —” “Don’t you tell me what to do, Harry Potter!” she screeched. “Don’t you dare! Give it back now! And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hermione-will-you-please-don-t-you-tell-me-what-to-do-harry-potter/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everybody in the world has to compromise. I don't know one person that gets everything they want, so the politicians are going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/everybody-in-the-world-has-to-compromise-i-don-t-know-one-person-that/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) [Browse all 564 Pointing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The old thing when you're pointing your finger, there's three fingers pointing back. And so I always tell people that whatever you focus on, you get more of. 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