--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They regarded each other for a moment. He…" description: "\"“They regarded each other for a moment. He lay down once more, and after a moment she followed and jumped a little when she found out that he had slid ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/david-nicholls-873_people-say_they-regarded-each-other-for-a-moment-he_679317.jpg" --- # They regarded each other for a moment. He lay down once… ![“They regarded each other for a moment. He lay down once more, and after a moment she followed and jumped a little when she found out that he had slid his arm beneath her shoulders. There was a self-conscious moment of mutual discomfort before she turned onto her side abs curled towards him…” quote by David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/david-nicholls-873_people-say_they-regarded-each-other-for-a-moment-he_679317.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/david-nicholls-873_people-say_they-regarded-each-other-for-a-moment-he_679317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/david-nicholls-873_people-say_they-regarded-each-other-for-a-moment-he_679317.jpg) > ““They regarded each other for a moment. He lay down once more, and after a moment she followed and jumped a little when she found out that he had slid his arm beneath her shoulders. There was a self-conscious moment of mutual discomfort before she turned onto her side abs curled towards him. Tightening his arm around her, he spoke into the top of her head. ‘You know what I can’t understand? You have all these people telling you all the time how great you are, smart, funny and talented and all that, I mean endlessly, I’ve been telling you for years. So why don’t you believe it? Why do you think people say that stuff, Em? Do you think it’s a conspiracy, people secretly ganging up to be nice to you?”” [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tender moment reveals deep insecurity; despite constant praise, she doubts her worth, and he questions whether compliments are genuine or a conspiracy. **In simple terms:** She feels undeserving despite praise. Key Takeaway Offer genuine, specific affirmation. Themes self‑esteem relationships validation Mood hopeful intimate Type advice conversational When to use this quote - romantic partnership - friendship - career feedback - mental health counseling Key Concepts psychology social perception insecurity Questions to Reflect On - What evidence can you give yourself that you are truly valued? - How can you help others feel genuinely appreciated? A Different Perspective People may still doubt themselves even with support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arm Beneath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arm-beneath-5377607/) [Beneath Shoulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneath-shoulders-5377608/) [People say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-say/) [People Secretly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-secretly-680325/) [People Telling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-telling/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Do you think it's a conspiracy, people secretly ganging up to be nice to you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/do-you-think-it-s-a-conspiracy-people-secretly-ganging-up-to-be-nice/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [“You know what I can't understand? 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Like, there isn't a team of people telling me what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sky-ferreira/i-m-not-some-sort-of-puppet-like-there-isn-t-a-team-of-people-telling/) [Sky Ferreira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sky-ferreira/) > [I've got people telling me their lives have been changed in a small way because of something I did, that's crazy. 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I think I've done OK. I don't dwell on what might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-griffey-jr/i-get-a-little-tired-of-people-telling-me-what-might-have-been-i/) [Ken Griffey Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-griffey-jr/) ## More by David Nicholls > [These days grief seems like walking on a frozen river; most of the time he feels safe enough, but there is always that danger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/these-days-grief-seems-like-walking-on-a-frozen-river-most-of-the/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [“Good God, 'the elusive thing'. She had reached a turning point. She no longer believed that a situation could be made better by writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/good-god-the-elusive-thing-she-had-reached-a-turning-point-she-no/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [Emma was a shocking driver, simultaneously sloppy and petrified, and for the first fifty miles had been absent-mindedly driving with her spectacles on top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/emma-was-a-shocking-driver-simultaneously-sloppy-and-petrified-and/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I still find it absurdly difficult to concentrate on a novel if there's a phone or computer to hand; I have taken to locking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/i-still-find-it-absurdly-difficult-to-concentrate-on-a-novel-if-there/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [You've got to stop letting women slip drugs into your mouth, Dex, it's unhygienic. 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Tightening his arm around her, he spoke into the top of her head. ‘You know what I can’t understand? You have all these people telling you all the time how great you are, smart, funny and talented and all that, I mean endlessly, I’ve been telling you for years. So why don’t you believe it? Why do you think people say that stuff, Em? 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