And know quite often that can be the case....a motivational type of saying. But I would wager that more often then not, those words can and will have a lasting effect. Typically the more value the person has in your life, the more powerful the words.
However in this day and age, the repetition of those words by a stranger (or group of strangers) have a cumulative effect (see: those who commit suicide from on-line exclusive bullying). Also, in this day and age an "accusation" can often be treated as fact.
~Jeordam
Saving the Princess, Humanity, or the World-Entire since 1985