Maya Angelou: When people show you who they are, believe them the first time
This article explores Maya Angelou's famous advice to believe people when they show you who they are the first time. It discusses how confirmation bias often leads people to ignore red flags in personal and professional relationships.
Why it matters
Understanding psychological biases can help individuals make better decisions in interpersonal relationships and avoid long-term emotional harm.
The power of this quote lies in the words the first time. Angelou's message, as recalled by her close friend and former student of life lessons, television host Oprah Winfrey, was not that people should be judged forever by one imperfect moment. It was that we should pay attention when their actions reveal something important about their character.In a 1997 commencement address at Wellesley College, Winfrey credited Angelou with teaching her this lesson. She recalled Angelou warning against waiting until the 29th time before believing what someone's behaviour had already revealed.
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