"Aucune référence à revoir ni des mots plus forts ne peuvent remplacer les actes réels."

The heart of the message here is simple: Actions speak louder than words. It's one thing to talk about what you can do, but it’s another thing entirely to actually do it. Think about someone who always boasts about their skills or promises grand things but never follows through. Those words become hollow. But someone who quietly goes about their business and delivers is worth their weight in gold.

Historically, this sentiment has been echoed by many great leaders and thinkers. Take, for instance, the famous American inventor Thomas Edison. He once said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Edison didn’t just talk about his ideas; he worked tirelessly to bring them to life. We remember him not for what he said he would do, but for what he actually did—like inventing the light bulb.

Imagine a scenario in a modern workplace. You've got a colleague, let's call her Sarah. Sarah is always talking in meetings about the fantastic projects she's planning. She’s full of grand ideas and ambitious plans. But when it comes to actual delivery, Sarah's track record is spotty at best. Then there’s Mike, who doesn’t say much in meetings. He listens, takes notes, and gets to work. The next thing you know, Mike has finished his project ahead of schedule and with stellar results. Who do you think the team respects more? Who gets the recognition when the chips are down? Mike, obviously. His actions build trust and credibility, not just his words.

So, how do you apply this in your everyday life? Start by underpromising and overdelivering. If you commit to doing something, make sure you follow through. It’s better to set realistic expectations and then exceed them than to set high expectations and fall short. And don’t just talk about your goals—take concrete steps towards achieving them. Want to get fit? Create a workout plan and stick to it. Dream of starting a business? Begin with a detailed plan and start small. Each action, no matter how minor, builds momentum and credibility.

Let's make this even more relatable. Picture this: You’re in a group of friends, and everyone is talking about running a marathon. There’s a lot of chatter, but it’s your friend Jake who gets up at 5 AM every morning to train. At first, it’s just him. But as he logs those early morning miles, you can see his commitment. His actions—that daily grind—speak volumes. When marathon day comes, Jake finishes strong. The rest of the group? Still talking about how they’ll do it next year. Jake’s actions inspired respect and admiration because he didn’t just talk the talk—he walked the walk (or rather, ran the run).

In essence, this wisdom reminds us to be doers, not just dreamers. Words can inspire, but only actions can create change. So the next time you find yourself making a promise or planning a goal, remember that the true measure of success lies in what you actually achieve, not just what you say you will. It’s the real deeds that count.