---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mind what you say, but mind more closely…"
description: "\"“Mind what you say, but mind more closely what you do. For though children close their ears to you, their eyes remain wide open.”\" — Richelle E. Goodrich"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg"
---

#  Mind what you say, but mind more closely what you do. For…

![“Mind what you say, but mind more closely what you do. For though children close their ears to you, their eyes remain wide open.” quote by Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg)

> ““Mind what you say, but mind more closely what you do. For though children close their ears to you, their eyes remain wide open.””

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

## About This Quote

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

Words are important, but actions speak louder; children notice behavior even when they ignore words.

**In simple terms:** Actions louder than words for children.

Key Takeaway

Model desired behavior.

Themes

parenting behavior learning

Mood

concerned instructive

Type

parental educational

When to use this quote

- family life
- teaching
- leadership
- public speaking

Key Concepts

developmental psychology education

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you align words and deeds?
- What habits do you model?

A Different Perspective

Children may misinterpret actions without context.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Being-an-example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-an-example-17166/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Close Ears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-ears-245714/) [Closely Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closely-children-1760572/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Mind Closely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-closely-899477/) [Mind Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-say-1013003/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Raising children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raising-children/) [Richelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richelle/) [Richelle-e-goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richelle-e-goodrich/) [Richelle-goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richelle-goodrich/) [Say Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-mind/)

## Related quotes

> [“Effective parenting requires being the grown up version of what you want your children to be. Why? Because example is the most compelling superpower.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/effective-parenting-requires-being-the-grown-up-version-of-what-you/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Children rarely follow parental advice unless it is acted out repeatedly. It’s called being an example.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/children-rarely-follow-parental-advice-unless-it-is-acted-out/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [It is not much matter which we say, but mind, we must all say the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-much-matter-which-we-say-but-mind-we-must-all-say-the-same/)

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

> [I say what I mind but I don't mind what I say..!! :p](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-say-what-i-mind-but-i-don-t-mind-what-i-say-p/)

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

> [Simply stated, our bodies and mind are closely connected, and that which affects our state of mind will invariably affect the way in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cuomo/simply-stated-our-bodies-and-mind-are-closely-connected-and-that/)

[Margaret Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cuomo/)

> [The older I get the more I realize that a significant portion of a parent's happiness or sadness in middle-age will be directly impacted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-thomas/the-older-i-get-the-more-i-realize-that-a-significant-portion-of-a/)

[Gary L. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-thomas/)

> [Always listen closely to what children have to say, because really we learn more from them each day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/always-listen-closely-to-what-children-have-to-say-because-really-we/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [Sometimes I would like to cry. I close my eyes. Why weren't we designed so that we can close our ears as well? (Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-atkinson/sometimes-i-would-like-to-cry-i-close-my-eyes-why-weren-t-we-designed/)

[Kate Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-atkinson/)

> [“Sound awareness is especially important, for although we easily close our mouth and eyes to what we don’t want to take in, we can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anodea-judith/sound-awareness-is-especially-important-for-although-we-easily-close/)

[Anodea Judith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anodea-judith/)

> [If you don’t want to be scared in a horror film, don’t close your eyes. Close your ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/if-you-don-t-want-to-be-scared-in-a-horror-film-don-t-close-your-eyes/)

[Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/)

> [By and large, Americans close their ears to anything not in English. That's stupid because there's some great music around the world that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/by-and-large-americans-close-their-ears-to-anything-not-in-english/)

[Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/)

> [When they say I'm a great actor, I close my ears because it's not good for you to think that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/when-they-say-i-m-a-great-actor-i-close-my-ears-because-it-s-not-good/)

[Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/)

> [.~- \* -~.-I just close my eyes because I might see your face. I just close my mouth because I might hear your voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fahmida-pritha/i-just-close-my-eyes-because-i-might-see-your-face-i-just-close-my/)

[Fahmida Pritha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fahmida-pritha/)

> [Close your ears to all adverse suggestions. Never mind if people call you a fool and a dreamer. Dream on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/close-your-ears-to-all-adverse-suggestions-never-mind-if-people-call/)

[Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/)

> [God gave us mouths that close and ears that don't-- that should tell us something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-gave-us-mouths-that-close-and-ears-that-don-t-that-should-tell-us/)

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

## More by Richelle E. Goodrich

> [“Truth is, I’m generally happiest when it’s just me. It’s okay to be madly in love with yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/truth-is-i-m-generally-happiest-when-it-s-just-me-it-s-okay-to-be/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“As ofttimes as it rains on my little spot of earth, you'd think I'd grow accustomed to the gloom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/as-ofttimes-as-it-rains-on-my-little-spot-of-earth-you-d-think-i-d/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“ Happily-ever-afters don't come in happily-every-days . They are found at the end of challenges-ever-met, promises-ever-kept, and tears-ever-wept.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/happily-ever-afters-don-t-come-in-happily-every-days-they-are-found/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Curiosity killed the cat, but not before teaching her that honey bees are not sweet, tweeting birds are slow to react, mice can serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/curiosity-killed-the-cat-but-not-before-teaching-her-that-honey-bees/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“A session of boasting won't attract any real friends.  It will set you up on a pedestal, however, making you a clearer target.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/a-session-of-boasting-won-t-attract-any-real-friends-it-will-set-you/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Memories of past. Heartaches of old. Courage of brass. Lessons of gold.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/memories-of-past-heartaches-of-old-courage-of-brass-lessons-of-gold/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Mystery, why so attractive to me? You blind me with fear, place hope on my tongue, and with a cold kiss draw me forward.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/mystery-why-so-attractive-to-me-you-blind-me-with-fear-place-hope-on/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“It's amusing to me that we refer to people who live in their heads as detached, disturbed, or mad, when reality for anyone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/it-s-amusing-to-me-that-we-refer-to-people-who-live-in-their-heads-as/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Such a nasty bruise,” he says, staring straight into my eyes. I am stunned he can see it. Delicate to the touch and tender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/such-a-nasty-bruise-he-says-staring-straight-into-my-eyes-i-am/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“You would think those who have endured unkindness would be kinder as a result, intent on sparing others the awful suffering they abhorred firsthand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/you-would-think-those-who-have-endured-unkindness-would-be-kinder-as/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“While you judge me by my outward appearance I am silently doing the same to you, even though there's a ninety-percent chance that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/while-you-judge-me-by-my-outward-appearance-i-am-silently-doing-the/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“You made a choice—a single choice. How neat to think you may have opened the door to a wondrous future without knowing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/you-made-a-choice-a-single-choice-how-neat-to-think-you-may-have/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“The key to valuing something is to lose it and then realize how rare it was—after which you pray like mad to regain what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/the-key-to-valuing-something-is-to-lose-it-and-then-realize-how-rare/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Rather than critique people, try admiring God’s creative handiwork.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/rather-than-critique-people-try-admiring-god-s-creative-handiwork/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

[Explore all 987 Richelle E. Goodrich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

## More Being-an-example quotes

> [“Effective parenting requires being the grown up version of what you want your children to be. Why? Because example is the most compelling superpower.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/effective-parenting-requires-being-the-grown-up-version-of-what-you/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Children rarely follow parental advice unless it is acted out repeatedly. It’s called being an example.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/children-rarely-follow-parental-advice-unless-it-is-acted-out/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

[Browse all 3 Being-an-example quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-an-example-17166/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Mind what you say, but mind more closely what you do. For though children close their ears to you, their eyes remain wide open.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richelle E. Goodrich"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely-what-you-do-for-though/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Being-an-example"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely-what-you-do-for-though/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/richelle-e-goodrich-180_being-an-example_mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely_2578876.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Mind what you say, but mind more closely what you do. For though children close their ears to you, their…” — Richelle E. Goodrich",
                "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": "Richelle E. Goodrich",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Mind what you say, but mind...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely-what-you-do-for-though/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/mind-what-you-say-but-mind-more-closely-what-you-do-for-though/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
