People are more influenced by a person's reputation than by their individual actions or words.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
* Kind words: Refers to polite or courteous language, gestures, or expressions of kindness.
* Enter so deeply: This implies that kind words might have a temporary impact, but they don't have a lasting or profound effect on people's opinions.
* Reputation: Represents the overall perception of someone based on past actions, behaviors, and public opinion. It's a more enduring and influential factor in how people judge others.
The proverb is suggesting that:
* People are more likely to believe what they hear about someone from others than what they directly experience.
* A good reputation can overcome negative actions or words, while a bad reputation can overshadow positive ones.
* Reputation is often built over time and difficult to change, even with kind words.
In essence, this proverb highlights the importance of social perception and the power of reputation in shaping how people view and interact with one another.
Example:
Imagine a person known for being arrogant and rude. Even if they start speaking kindly, others might not be easily convinced because their past behavior has created a negative reputation.