Do you know that most people’s opinions aren’t really shaped by deep wisdom or a well-thought-out philosophy on life?

Do you know that most people’s opinions aren’t really shaped by deep wisdom or a well-thought-out philosophy on life?

Nope.

More often than not, their views are just a clever way to justify their own actions (or mistakes, if we’re being honest).

Take cheating, for example.

Ask a man who has never cheated if it’s wrong, and he’ll probably say, “Of course! Cheating is terrible”

Fast forward to when he eventually cheats, if he’s honest with himself, you might hear a different tune.

Suddenly, there are reasons, circumstances, and excuses, because, well, now it’s personal.

Now, don’t get me wrong, not everyone lives by the gospel they preach.

We’ve got plenty of people whose actions and words don’t even live on the same street, let alone in the same house.

But today, let’s put the hypocrites aside and focus on the sincere ones, the ones whose opinions evolve not because they’re fake, but because experience has humbled them.

Here’s the deal:

A sincere person explains things to defend their choices.

An indifferent person speaks just to provoke you.

A bad person?

Oh, they’ll sweet-talk you just to make themselves look good.

Our focus is on the first group, those whose truths change as life knocks them around a little.

And no, this doesn’t mean people should go around making excuses for every bad decision.

The real takeaway here is that our own actions shape our beliefs far more than we realize.

For example, if someone has a habit of cheating, chances are they’ll defend it more passionately than someone who has never done it.

And that, my friend, is a useful trick for reading people:

Pay attention not just to what they say, but also to what they carefully avoid saying.

If you’re sharp, you’ll catch the message.

If not, well... 

I tried.

My job here is done.

Dinner is served, hot and spicy.

Enjoy.

Peace.