Action Quote by Anna Brownell Jameson
“Lavater told Goethe that on a certain occasion when he held the velvet bag in the church as collector of the offerings, he tried to observe only the hands; and he satisfied himself that in every individual the shape of the hand and of the fingers, the action and sentiment in dropping the gift into the bag, were distinctly different and individually characteristic.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Observations on Human Character, 1840
Gestures reveal unique personal traits; observing them can reveal individual character.
In simple terms: Hand movements show personal character.
Key Takeaway
Study gestures to understand people.
Themes
observation
character
human nature
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
observational
educational
When to use this quote
- social interactions
- psychological assessments
Key Concepts
anthropology
psychology
nonverbal communication
Questions to Reflect On
- What gestures indicate trust?
- How do cultural norms affect interpretation?
A Different Perspective
Gestures can be misinterpreted across cultures.
