--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people you don't know say nice…" description: "\"When people you don't know say nice things about you, if you allow yourself, even subconsciously, to attach a shred of meaning to it, when the opposite..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg" --- # When people you don't know say nice things about you, if… ![“When people you don't know say nice things about you, if you allow yourself, even subconsciously, to attach a shred of meaning to it, when the opposite happens, when people you don't know say bad things about you, you can't attach that same meaning.” quote by Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg) > “When people you don't know say nice things about you, if you allow yourself, even subconsciously, to attach a shred of meaning to it, when the opposite happens, when people you don't know say bad things about you, you can't attach that same meaning.” [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑esteem hinges on how we assign meaning to praise or criticism. **In simple terms:** Meaning we give to feedback matters. Key Takeaway Choose balanced interpretation. Themes self‑esteem feedback psychology Mood reflective balanced Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - job performance reviews - social interactions - public speaking Key Concepts cognitive appraisal self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - How do you weigh compliments vs. critiques? - What helps you stay grounded? A Different Perspective Over‑valuing praise can create fragile confidence; under‑valuing criticism can hinder growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-things/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [Whenever I work on a role, I always allow it to subconsciously take me to a place that is magical and unexpected, rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasika-dugal/whenever-i-work-on-a-role-i-always-allow-it-to-subconsciously-take-me/) [Rasika Dugal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasika-dugal/) > [“My dad told me that God allows people to make their own choices and doesn’t override their free will. That is why bad things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-w-lord/my-dad-told-me-that-god-allows-people-to-make-their-own-choices-and/) [J. W. Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-w-lord/) > [Loving someone isnt always about the good and bad things that happen in you relationships its about knowing that no matter what eachother go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-black/loving-someone-isnt-always-about-the-good-and-bad-things-that-happen/) Erika Black > [In life, we don't know why things happen. I believe God is not responsible for the bad things that happen to you. Sometimes I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buck-brannaman/in-life-we-don-t-know-why-things-happen-i-believe-god-is-not/) [Buck Brannaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buck-brannaman/) > [“Dear Delphine, When you are older I want you to find Chinua Achebe. I want you to read Things Fall Apart. Don't be hardheaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-williams-garcia/dear-delphine-when-you-are-older-i-want-you-to-find-chinua-achebe-i/) [Rita Williams-Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-williams-garcia/) > [I'm just grateful to people who are willing to admit how bad things feel for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-m-just-grateful-to-people-who-are-willing-to-admit-how-bad-things/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [In my business, you should be very strong in mind. You have to be sure about yourself and about your work and your career,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irina-shayk/in-my-business-you-should-be-very-strong-in-mind-you-have-to-be-sure/) [Irina Shayk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irina-shayk/) > [Be Thankful for all things in life. Even for the bad things. SOMETIMES the worst situations in life turn out to be the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-thankful-for-all-things-in-life-even-for-the-bad-things-sometimes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like everybody, you get nights where you feel completely depressed. You start thinking about all the bad things and think about the glass half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/like-everybody-you-get-nights-where-you-feel-completely-depressed-you/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I've heard some pretty bad things in my life. I'm just one of those people I've gotten to a point where I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-bush/i-ve-heard-some-pretty-bad-things-in-my-life-i-m-just-one-of-those/) [Sophia Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-bush/) > [I'm not going to pretend that bad things don't happen. I just hope my daughter has enough understanding that when they do, just give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/i-m-not-going-to-pretend-that-bad-things-don-t-happen-i-just-hope-my/) [John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/) > [One thing I always tell players is that there are three bad things: Nothing good happens after midnight, nothing good happens when you're around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/one-thing-i-always-tell-players-is-that-there-are-three-bad-things/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [I think the people I talk about are generally so stupid that they don't even know I'm saying bad things about them. I've run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-think-the-people-i-talk-about-are-generally-so-stupid-that-they-don/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/) [Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) ## More by Theo Epstein > [I still wake up thinking about draft choices we should have made that would have impacted the franchise for a long time, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/i-still-wake-up-thinking-about-draft-choices-we-should-have-made-that/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [I used to follow people home. I just like being anonymous so much that I would follow people home because they didn't know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/i-used-to-follow-people-home-i-just-like-being-anonymous-so-much-that/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [When we build that foundation for sustained success, and it ultimately results in a World Series, it's going to be more than just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/when-we-build-that-foundation-for-sustained-success-and-it-ultimately/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [If you're trying to avoid one move that you don't think is going to work out, don't then settle for a different move that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/if-you-re-trying-to-avoid-one-move-that-you-don-t-think-is-going-to/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [You're not always going to get the outcomes you feel like your talent deserves, that you feel like the big picture deserves. And what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/you-re-not-always-going-to-get-the-outcomes-you-feel-like-your-talent/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [We try to do a great job of understanding the opposing hitter and his tendencies. Maybe understand the hitter better than he knows himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/we-try-to-do-a-great-job-of-understanding-the-opposing-hitter-and-his/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [If I let my brain follow its path unfettered, it would be kinda ugly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/if-i-let-my-brain-follow-its-path-unfettered-it-would-be-kinda-ugly/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [Sometimes, on the business side, it's important to sort of have something with some sizzle in an offseason. It's the baseball operations department's job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/sometimes-on-the-business-side-it-s-important-to-sort-of-have/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [When I was writing or competing in individual sports, it felt unfulfilling and lonely. When I was able to find a group of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/when-i-was-writing-or-competing-in-individual-sports-it-felt/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [I believe in our players. That's why they're here. I also know slumping is part of baseball. What's surprising is sometimes when it lasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/i-believe-in-our-players-that-s-why-they-re-here-i-also-know-slumping/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [I believe in the First Amendment. But I also believe we should be mindful of how other people feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/i-believe-in-the-first-amendment-but-i-also-believe-we-should-be/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [Scouting and player development is the key to year-in and year-out success, not the occasional lucky hit. There are no definitive answers in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/scouting-and-player-development-is-the-key-to-year-in-and-year-out/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [You have years where most things go your way, and you have years where more things than usual seem like a challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/you-have-years-where-most-things-go-your-way-and-you-have-years-where/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [The only time I think about my contract is when I'm asked about it by the media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/the-only-time-i-think-about-my-contract-is-when-i-m-asked-about-it-by/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) > [There has to be active, hands-on management in concert with the manager to lead the organization and make sure that the standards that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/there-has-to-be-active-hands-on-management-in-concert-with-the/) [Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) [Explore all 93 Theo Epstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/) ## More Bad quotes > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Unfortunately, we all go through bad phases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushmita-sen/unfortunately-we-all-go-through-bad-phases/) [Sushmita Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushmita-sen/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/what-people-tend-to-forget-is-the-journey-that-i-had-getting-to/) [Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [I listen to heavy metal thanks to my son. When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/) [Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/) > [“If any woman opens her legs for you, don't feel so lucky to be fed with nonsense, she has been a bitch for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/if-any-woman-opens-her-legs-for-you-don-t-feel-so-lucky-to-be-fed/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [One thing I always tell players is that there are three bad things: Nothing good happens after midnight, nothing good happens when you're around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/one-thing-i-always-tell-players-is-that-there-are-three-bad-things/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) Browse all 7,973 Bad quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people you don't know say nice things about you, if you allow yourself, even subconsciously, to attach a shred of meaning to it, when the opposite happens, when people you don't know say bad things about you, you can't attach that same meaning.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theo Epstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-things-about-you-if-you-allow/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bad" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-things-about-you-if-you-allow/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/theo-epstein-7214_bad_when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-thin_2069613.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When people you don't know say nice things about you, if you allow yourself, even subconsciously, to attach…” — Theo Epstein", "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": "Theo Epstein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When people you don't know say...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-things-about-you-if-you-allow/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/when-people-you-don-t-know-say-nice-things-about-you-if-you-allow/#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 } } ] } ```