Skip to content

You have to deduce a person's real feelings about a thing…

“You have to deduce a person's real feelings about a thing by a smile she does not know is on her face, by the way bitterness tightens muscles at a mouth's corner, or the way air is allowed to flow from the lungs.” quote by Doris Lessing
Download Open image
“You have to deduce a person's real feelings about a thing by a smile she does not know is on her face, by the way bitterness tightens muscles at a mouth's corner, or the way air is allowed to flow from the lungs.”

Doris Lessing

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage suggests that true emotions are revealed through involuntary physical cues—smiles, muscle tension, breath—rather than spoken words.

In simple terms: Feelings show up in body language, not words.

Key Takeaway

Observe non‑verbal signals to understand deeper emotions.

Themes

communication emotions body language psychology authenticity

Mood

analytical insightful

Type

psychological observational

When to use this quote

  • interpersonal relationships
  • therapy
  • leadership
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

nonverbal cues emotional intelligence psychosomatic expression

Questions to Reflect On

  • How reliable are bodily signals in judging sincerity?
  • What habits can improve your reading of non‑verbal cues?
A Different Perspective

Physical cues can be misread or masked intentionally.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Doris Lessing

Explore all 508 Doris Lessing quotes

More Air quotes

Browse all 6,278 Air quotes