"It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath"

This quote by Aeschylus speaks to the concept that it is not the words of an oath that make us think in an individual, but rather the person themselves. Aeschylus is recommending that it is the character of the individual that is more vital than any words they might state. He is highlighting the importance of trustworthiness and stability in relationships. It is insufficient to merely say the right words, however rather one must show their dependability through their actions. Aeschylus is recommending that it is the individual, not the words, that will ultimately determine whether or not we believe them. This quote is a reminder that we ought to not take somebody's word at face value, but rather want to their character and actions to figure out if they are trustworthy.