Explanation
That line is basically a reminder to trust what people do, not what they say; especially the first time their behavior shows you who they are. If a friend repeatedly flakes, a partner hides things, or a coworker takes credit, those actions tell a clearer story than promises about “changing.” Believing it the first time doesn’t mean being cynical; it means saving yourself the slow lesson of hopeful excuses. It’s about setting gentle boundaries and choosing wisely, not punishing someone forever. We can still be compassionate, but we don’t have to ignore the pattern and keep getting hurt.
About the Author
Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) rose from a traumatic childhood in the segregated South to become a celebrated poet, memoirist, actress, and civil-rights activist. Her 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings became an American classic; she recited "On the Pulse of Morning" at Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Angelou is most remembered for her lyrical, candid storytelling that fused personal resilience with moral and racial justice, and for mentoring generations as a teacher and public intellectual. Given her experiences with betrayal, racism, and survival, her admonition to believe people when they reveal themselves reflects a hard won commitment to truth and self protection.
