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"不要谈论你已经做过的事或你将要做的事。"

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson President of the United States
Translations
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Quote meaning
When you’re constantly talking about your past achievements or future plans, you’re essentially setting yourself up for failure or disappointment. The core idea here is that actions speak louder than words. Instead of spending time telling everyone what you’ve achieved or what you plan to achieve, just go out and do it. This way, you let your accomplishments and actions speak for themselves.

This advice is timeless. It’s been relevant throughout history because, in every era, people have been prone to boasting or making grand promises. Just think about all those ancient warriors and leaders who bragged about their conquests—only for history to forget them because they didn’t live up to their own hype. In our modern world, social media often amplifies this tendency. We see people constantly posting about their goals and achievements, seeking validation. But the real value lies in the doing, not the talking.

Consider a real-life example: Imagine a startup founder who’s always talking about how their new app is going to change the world. They go to every networking event, pitch competition, and social media platform, proclaiming its future success. But after all the talk, if the app doesn’t work well or doesn’t meet a real need, all that talking amounts to nothing. On the other hand, another founder might quietly work on their project, get feedback, make improvements, and focus on developing a genuinely useful product. When it’s ready, the app speaks for itself, and people naturally start talking about it.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your life? Next time you’re tempted to announce your latest big idea or brag about something you’ve done, pause. Ask yourself, “What’s my goal here? Do I need validation, or is there a better way to use this energy?” Focus on doing the work. Let your results create the buzz. It’s not about keeping everything a secret, but rather about ensuring your actions back up your words.

Let’s put this in a more relatable scenario. Imagine you’re in a coffee shop, chatting with a friend. You tell them about your plan to write a novel. You go on and on about the plot, the characters, how it’s going to be a bestseller. Your friend listens, nods, and wishes you luck. Months go by, and you haven’t written a single chapter. Next time you meet, you’ve got another grand idea, but still no progress on the novel. Now, imagine if instead, you hadn’t mentioned the novel at all. You quietly start writing, and after a few months, you surprise your friend with a completed first draft. How much more impressive is that?

It boils down to this: Let your achievements naturally come to light through your actions. When you do something remarkable, people will notice—often more than if you had spent all your time talking about it. So, roll up your sleeves, put in the work, and let your success do the talking. That’s a surefire way to earn genuine respect and admiration.
Related tags
Action oriented Future planning Goal setting Humility Life advice Motivational Personal development Self-improvement
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