I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.

Locke’s remark reflects an empiricist and practical moral outlook: inner beliefs and intentions are ultimately opaque to observers, but conduct is publicly legible. In social and political life, professions of principle, piety, or loyalty can be strategic or self-deceived; actions provide the most reliable evidence of what a person truly values and believes. The line also aligns with Locke’s broader emphasis on experience and observable evidence over speculation. As a maxim, it encourages judging character and sincerity by consistent behavior rather than by rhetoric, and it cautions against taking stated motives at face value when assessing individuals or institutions.