---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are very much what others think of us…"
description: "\"We are very much what others think of us. The reception our observations meet with gives us courage to proceed, or damps our efforts.\" — William Hazlitt"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/william-hazlitt-326_courage_we-are-very-much-what-others-think-of-us_2089369.png"
---

#  We are very much what others think of us. The reception…

![“We are very much what others think of us. The reception our observations meet with gives us courage to proceed, or damps our efforts.” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/william-hazlitt-326_courage_we-are-very-much-what-others-think-of-us_2089369.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/william-hazlitt-326_courage_we-are-very-much-what-others-think-of-us_2089369.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/william-hazlitt-326_courage_we-are-very-much-what-others-think-of-us_2089369.png)

> “We are very much what others think of us. The reception our observations meet with gives us courage to proceed, or damps our efforts.”

[William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/)

## About This Quote

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

Our self‑image is shaped by how others perceive and respond to us, influencing confidence and motivation.

**In simple terms:** Other people's views affect our confidence.

Key Takeaway

Seek internal validation over external approval.

Themes

self‑esteem perception motivation

Mood

reflective determined

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- team projects
- social media interactions
- leadership challenges

Key Concepts

social psychology identity formation

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you differentiate between constructive feedback and mere opinion?
- What internal standards guide your actions?

A Different Perspective

External opinions can be unreliable and may lead to conformity.

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[Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Reception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reception/)

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