My dad always said, 'Don't worry what people think, because you

The words of Daisy Donovan, “My dad always said, ‘Don’t worry what people think, because you can’t change it,’” carry the kind of timeless wisdom that fathers pass down like torches through generations. It is a lesson simple in speech yet vast in meaning—a shield against the endless storm of judgment that rages in every human heart. Her father’s counsel is not a call to arrogance or indifference, but to freedom—freedom from the heavy chains of others’ opinions, freedom from the endless effort to please what can never be satisfied. In these words lies a truth as old as mankind itself: that peace of mind is born not in the approval of others, but in the stillness of one’s own conscience.

From the earliest days, men and women have struggled under the gaze of their peers. Even the ancients, who carved their wisdom into stone, warned against this tyranny of public opinion. The Stoic philosopher Epictetus taught, “If you wish to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” For he knew that the pursuit of virtue often conflicts with the expectations of the crowd. To seek truth, to live honestly, to follow one’s calling—these acts will always draw criticism, for they disturb the comfort of conformity. And yet, as Donovan’s father reminds us, we cannot control the minds of others. To live by their approval is to live as a prisoner; to live by our principles is to live as a free man.

There is great wisdom, too, in the humility of this teaching. To say “you can’t change it” is to acknowledge the limits of human power. We may influence, inspire, even correct others, but we cannot command their thoughts. The opinions of men are like the winds—shifting, invisible, and beyond control. One day they praise, the next they condemn. The wise learn not to build their peace upon such sand. They turn inward instead, anchoring their joy in the knowledge that only the heart and the divine truly see what is within. In this way, the soul becomes unmoved by gossip or glory, like a mountain unmoved by the passing clouds.

Consider the story of Socrates, the philosopher who lived and died by this truth. Accused by his city of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods, he stood before his judges calm and unafraid. When asked why he did not beg for mercy, he replied that he would rather obey his conscience than the fickle opinion of the crowd. Though condemned to death, he left behind an immortal legacy of courage and wisdom. His life was a living echo of the words Donovan’s father spoke: do not worry what people think, for their thoughts cannot change truth, nor can they alter the peace of a man who stands firm in integrity.

Yet this wisdom is not always easy to live. The world tempts us constantly to seek validation—to be admired, accepted, and approved. We polish our images, hide our faults, and bend our beliefs to fit the ever-changing fashions of approval. But what is gained from such effort? Only exhaustion. For every heart that praises, another condemns; for every admirer, a critic waits. The more one seeks to please, the further one strays from authenticity. To live by others’ opinions is to live as a shadow—shapeless, dependent, and fleeting. To live by conviction is to live as the sun—steady, self-contained, and radiant with truth.

Daisy Donovan’s father spoke with the wisdom of experience. His words carry not defiance, but serenity. He understood that the measure of a life is not the echo of others’ applause, but the quiet assurance of one’s own purpose. The man who follows his heart may be misunderstood for a time, but he will never be empty. The one who chases approval may gather praise, but his soul will starve for meaning. The wise man learns to let others think what they will, and to walk forward with peace in his step and truth in his heart.

So, O listener, take this teaching as your own: do not waste your life trying to rewrite the thoughts of others. Their judgments belong to them; your integrity belongs to you. Do your work honestly, love deeply, live with conviction—and leave the rest to heaven. The world’s opinion is like the tide; it comes and goes. But the soul that stands in truth remains unmoved, eternal as the shore. Let your heart be your compass, your conscience your guide, and your peace will not depend on the fleeting approval of men.

For in the end, the wise know that happiness is not found in being praised, but in being true. And as Donovan’s father wisely said, you cannot change what others think—so walk your path bravely, and let your life, not their words, be your answer.