“People will always talk; it’s their job to talk”. This phrase is more than an acknowledgment of societal norms; it’s a profound truth about the nature of human life. From ancient villages to bustling modern cities, from palaces to humble homes, society has always had an opinion on how others live. These opinions, like ripples on water, spread and reach people in ways that can be both uplifting and suffocating. How often have we stopped ourselves from taking a bold step, silenced our voices, or altered our paths simply because of a lingering fear—What will people say?
Throughout history, intellectuals, artists, and thinkers have recognized the weight of this concern, yet they have taught us that true freedom comes from rising above the noise. Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre once remarked, “If you’re lonely when you’re alone, you’re in bad company.” Sartre’s words echo the truth that so much of our self-worth comes from external validation, yet the journey of self-realization demands that we find peace within, irrespective of others’ views. To depend on others’ opinions is to give them the power over our sense of self. We risk becoming strangers to our true nature, wandering in search of approval when we should be pursuing our own path.
Consider the great poet and philosopher Rumi, who believed that one’s path is not meant to be defined by others. He wrote, “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” Rumi reminds us that in life’s journey, authenticity lies not in fulfilling others’ expectations but in embracing our deepest desires and truths. Yet, walking this path is no simple task, for society is like a relentless ocean, forever crashing waves of opinion and judgment against us. Many of us are like boats, drifting on these waves, constantly adjusting our sails according to where the winds of approval blow.
People are drawn to judging others because, as the psychologist Carl Jung observed, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Sometimes, when we judge others, we are only projecting our own insecurities. This need to observe, comment, and measure others is often rooted in our own desire to feel stable in an uncertain world. Yet, this tendency often cages not only the judged but also the judge. When we let judgment dictate our lives, we close ourselves off from the vastness of our own potential.
Aldous Huxley once said, “The only way to escape the corruptible effect of praise is to go on working.” He understood that true growth comes from dedicating ourselves to a purpose beyond the fleeting praise or criticism of others. In a world obsessed with quick validation, it’s easy to get lost in the fear of judgment. But those who rise above it become beacons, showing us what it means to live with conviction. Think of Mahatma Gandhi, whose life was filled with opposition, criticism, and misunderstanding. Yet, he pursued a path of non-violence, driven by an inner clarity that far outweighed the noise of society. “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win,” he said. His words remind us that the journey to greatness often demands a confrontation with society’s whispers.
Living for others’ approval is like living in a house made of glass—constantly aware, forever guarded. Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic philosopher, urged us to look beyond the opinions of others. “It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.” He speaks to the irony of human nature. How can we love ourselves and yet let the voices of others shape us? Aurelius encourages us to find strength in self-assurance, a foundation that remains unshaken, regardless of others’ views.
And then there is the wisdom of Sufi poet Hafiz, who wrote, “The words you speak become the house you live in.” When we let others’ judgment guide our choices, their words build the walls around us, limiting us to what they believe is possible. Yet, when we let our own truth guide us, we begin to build a home that is uniquely ours, untouched by the winds of judgment. Hafiz teaches us that true freedom requires a willingness to embrace vulnerability, to live in a house built of our own convictions, however fragile they may seem.
In our modern world, where social media has amplified the “people” to a global level, the pressure to conform is greater than ever. It’s tempting to believe that the opinions and judgments of others are all that matter. The world becomes a stage, and we are the actors, performing for the approval of an audience that never truly knows us. But as Oscar Wilde wisely noted, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Wilde’s words are a call to authenticity in a world that constantly tries to mold us. To live by this is to acknowledge that there is only one you in the vast expanse of humanity, and to live as anything less is to deny the universe of a unique expression of life.
The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most profound spiritual texts, reminds us of the importance of detachment. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, “Perform your duty with detachment, and do not be swayed by success or failure.” This is the wisdom of equanimity, the art of standing steady in the face of both praise and criticism. Life’s journey is not about satisfying the expectations of society, but about fulfilling one’s own potential. The Gita teaches us that in dedicating ourselves to our duty without attachment to outcomes, we rise above the noise of societal judgment, finding peace in the work itself.
And so, as we walk through life, we are reminded of the paradox: people will talk, but their words need not define us. The whispers, the judgments, the murmurs—they are like shadows. They exist, but only because we give them light. When we turn our attention inward, when we seek guidance from within, these shadows fade leaving us with a quiet sense of freedom. To live authentically, one must accept the inevitability of others’ opinions yet rise above them.
Perhaps, as Kahlil Gibran put it, “You are far greater than you know, and all is well.” This is the ultimate freedom—not to be unjudged, but to be undisturbed by judgment. To be content in oneself, regardless of others’ thoughts, is to find a sanctuary within. When we realize that “people will always talk,” we gain the power to live boldly, embracing the journey that is uniquely ours, regardless of the world’s whispers.
So let the world speak. Let their words drift like leaves on the wind. For in the end, the only voice that matters is the one within—the voice that knows who we are, beyond all the stories and judgments, beyond all that others might say. When we listen to this voice, we find not only peace but purpose, the courage to walk our own path, leaving behind the noise, and embracing the beauty of simply being.
(Author is a columnist and can be reached at: [email protected])
