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Compassion Quote by Deanna Raybourn

“He had strong, steady hands, and I could tell from looking at them there was little he couldn't do. Mossy always said you could tell everything you needed to know about a man from his hands. Some hands, she told me, were leaving hands. They were the wandering sort that slipped into places they…” quote by Deanna Raybourn
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““He had strong, steady hands, and I could tell from looking at them there was little he couldn't do. Mossy always said you could tell everything you needed to know about a man from his hands. Some hands, she told me, were leaving hands. They were the wandering sort that slipped into places they shouldn't, and they would wander right off again because those hands just couldn't stay still. Some hands were worthless hands, fit only to hold a drink or flick ash from a cigar, and some were punishing hands that hit hard and didn't leave a mark and those were the ones you never stayed to see twice. But the best hands were knowing hands, Mossy told me with a slow smile. Knowing hands were capable; they could soothe a horse or woman. They could take things apart -- including your heart -- and put them back together better than before. Knowing hands were rare, but if you found them, they were worth holding, at least for a little while.””

Deanna Raybourn

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Secret of the Old Clock, 2005 (fictional excerpt)

Hands reveal character; some are restless, some useless, some harmful, but the rare “knowing hands” heal and restore.

In simple terms: Hands show who we are; some heal, some harm, some are idle.

Key Takeaway

Seek and cherish people with “knowing hands.”

Themes

character healing trust relationships skill

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • friendship
  • romance
  • mentorship
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

psychology human behavior empathy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What qualities define a “knowing hand”?
  • How do you protect yourself from harmful hands?
A Different Perspective

Not everyone can be trusted; some may betray.

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