Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"به همه محترم باشید، اما با عده‌ای اندک صمیمی باشید، و پیش از آنکه اعتماد خود را به آن‌ها بسپارید، آن عده را به خوبی آزمایش کنید."

George Washington
George Washington President of the United States
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
Being polite and respectful to everyone you meet is a great way to go about life. However, when it comes to forming close relationships, you should be a bit more selective. It's wise to take your time and really get to know people before you put your trust in them. This is the essence of the quote.

Imagine this: You meet new people all the time, at work, at social events, or just out and about. It's always nice to be friendly and courteous to everyone—you never know what someone else is going through, and a little kindness can go a long way. But when it comes to letting someone into your inner circle, that's a different story.

Think of it like this: you're building a small team for a big project. You wouldn't just pick the first few people you meet, right? You’d want to make sure they’re reliable, trustworthy, and capable. The same goes for close friendships. You need to see how people handle different situations and how they treat others over time—essentially, they need to be "well tried."

Take the example of a young woman named Sarah. When Sarah started her new job, she was friendly to everyone in the office. She'd chat with colleagues in the break room and always had a kind word to say. But she didn't immediately start sharing her personal life with everyone. Instead, she observed. She noticed who was consistent, who was respectful, and who seemed genuine. Over time, she found a few colleagues who she felt she could truly trust. These became her confidantes and closest friends at work. Because she took her time, she built relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by being kind and polite to everyone you meet. That's just good manners and can open doors in unexpected ways. But when it comes to sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings, or relying on someone in a tough situation, take your time. Get to know people in various circumstances. See how they act when things are going well—and when they're not. Trust is something that should be built carefully.

Here's a relatable scenario: You’ve moved to a new city and joined a local sports team to meet people. Everyone’s friendly and you’re having a great time. There’s Jake, who’s always the life of the party; Emma, who’s a bit quieter but always there to lend a hand; and Dave, who’s super competitive. You enjoy hanging out with all of them, but when you need advice or support, you find yourself turning to Emma. She’s consistent, dependable, and you feel comfortable around her. Over time, you share more and she does too, and a solid, trusting friendship forms.

In a nutshell, be friendly and courteous to everyone. It makes the world a better place and you never know what opportunities it might bring. But when it comes to your inner circle, take your time. Let those friendships develop naturally and ensure those few close friends are people you can truly rely on. It’s all about quality over quantity when it comes to trust.
Related tags
Confidence Discernment Etiquette Friendship Interpersonal skills Intimacy Relationship advice Social interactions Trust Wisdom
MORE QUOTES BY George Washington
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon