“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time” – Maya Angelou
This quote is true for many different types of relationships and interactions between many different kinds of people. For instance, while working in a group with someone, the first impression of them is most likely what they are like (if they are usually slack on their work, etc.) In other circumstances, it is most applicable to relationships, whether platonic or romantic. People tend to show their true colors when you first meet them, and they put on a facade at other times. If someone does not care about you or your well being, they will show you this through their actions, not necessarily always through their words. Too many are willing to give people like this second chances, and this quote is akin to a reality check for those who run themselves into the ground trying to understand why a person has suddenly changed so drastically.
Personally, the contents of this quote are something I have struggled with before, because I try to see the good in people. Oftentimes I have been blindsided and left confused by the actions of other people when their words say something completely different. While not necessarily literally true, Angelou’s use of “shows you who they are” is most definitely accurate in the physical sense. Most people are too scared to come out and say what they want to say, therefore relying on actions to do the talking for them. Every now and then, people will even unknowingly let their actions speak for themselves.
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