We practically always excuse things when we understand them
—Mikhail Lermontov (1814–41) Russian Novelist, Poet
To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say.
—Rene Descartes (1596–1650) French Mathematician, Philosopher
Levity of behavior is the bane of all that is good and virtuous.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Though our conduct seems so very different from that of the higher animals, the primary instincts are much alike in them and in us.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Perfect behavior is born of complete indifference.
—Cesare Pavese (1908–50) Italian Novelist, Poet, Critic, Translator
An individual’s self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change. A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life.
—Joyce Brothers (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist
Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Behavior is a mirror in which everyone displays his image.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
It’s no use growing older if you only learn new ways of misbehaving yourself.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (1870–1916) British Short Story Writer, Satirist, Historian
Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.
—George W. Crane (1901–95) American Psychologist, Physician
A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectively on sympathy, education, and social relationships; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Behavior which appears superficially correct but is intrinsically corrupt always irritates those who see below the surface.
—James Bryant Conant (1893–1978) American Chemist, Educator
Suppose that humans happen to be so constructed that they desire the opportunity for freely undertaken productive work. Suppose that they want to be free from the meddling of technocrats and commissars, bankers and tycoons, mad bombers who engage in psychological tests of will with peasants defending their homes, behavioral scientists who can’t tell a pigeon from a poet, or anyone else who tries to wish freedom and dignity out of existence or beat them into oblivion.
—Noam Chomsky (b.1928) American Linguist, Social Critic
With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.
—Otto von Bismarck (1815–98) German Chancellor, Prime Minister
Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels, or believes
—Unknown
People’s behavior makes sense if you think about it in terms of their goals, needs, and motives.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
People who have little to do are excessive talkers.
—Common Proverb
Of course, behaviorism works. So does torture. Give me a no-nonsense, down-to-earth behaviorist, a few drugs, and simple electrical appliances, and in six months I will have him reciting the Athanasian Creed in public.
—W. H. Auden (1907–73) British-born American Poet, Dramatist
The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well? You may say the wisest thing you can, old man,—you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind,—I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
We like to see others, but don’t like others to see through us.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Oddities and singularities of behavior may attend genius, but when they do, they are its misfortunes and blemishes.—The man of true genius will be ashamed of them, or, at least, will never affect to be distinguished by them.
—William Temple (1881–1944) English Theologian, Archbishop
A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Acceptance of others, their looks, their behaviors, their beliefs, brings you an inner peace and tranquillity instead of anger and resentment.
—Anonymous
Still people are dangerous.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.
—John Holt (1923–85) American Educator, Homeschooling Pioneer
Our humanity rests upon a series of learned behaviors, woven together into patterns that are infinitely fragile and never directly inherited.
—Margaret Mead (1901–78) American Anthropologist, Social Psychologist
Physics does not change the nature of the world it studies, and no science of behavior can change the essential nature of man, even though both sciences yield technologies with a vast power to manipulate the subject matters.
—B. F. Skinner (1904–90) American Psychologist, Author
The world of the happy is quite different from that of the unhappy.
—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Austrian-born British Philosopher
To say the you behaved like animals is offensive to the animal creation because animals of the farmyard and field have an innate sense of decency.
—Gerry Spence (1929–2025) American Lawyer
What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What’s the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?
—Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) Canadian Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Novelist
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