--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you can't do anything else to a boy…" description: "\"When you can't do anything else to a boy, you can make him wash his face.\" — E. W. Howe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/e-w-howe-2815_boys_when-you-can-t-do-anything-else-to-a-boy_3205846.png" --- # When you can't do anything else to a boy, you can make him… ![“When you can't do anything else to a boy, you can make him wash his face.” quote by E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/e-w-howe-2815_boys_when-you-can-t-do-anything-else-to-a-boy_3205846.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/e-w-howe-2815_boys_when-you-can-t-do-anything-else-to-a-boy_3205846.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1b/e-w-howe-2815_boys_when-you-can-t-do-anything-else-to-a-boy_3205846.png) > “When you can't do anything else to a boy, you can make him wash his face.” [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When other options fail, a simple act of personal care can assert control and restore dignity. **In simple terms:** Use a basic task to regain power. Key Takeaway Apply a modest routine to re‑establish authority. Themes control humor dignity Mood playful light‑hearted Type anecdotal humorous When to use this quote - parenting - teaching - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can a small gesture respect autonomy? - When is it appropriate to use such tactics? A Different Perspective May be seen as condescending or infantilizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [In the mornings, I try to wash my face - especially if I'm going to set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/in-the-mornings-i-try-to-wash-my-face-especially-if-i-m-going-to-set/) [Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/) > [I wash my face and then use lots of moisturiser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-chung/i-wash-my-face-and-then-use-lots-of-moisturiser/) [Alexa Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-chung/) > [After I wake up, I take a shower, and that's when I wash my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karrueche-tran/after-i-wake-up-i-take-a-shower-and-that-s-when-i-wash-my-face/) [Karrueche Tran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karrueche-tran/) > [I use the Clairsonic Cleansing system to wash my face three times a week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edy-ganem/i-use-the-clairsonic-cleansing-system-to-wash-my-face-three-times-a/) [Edy Ganem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edy-ganem/) > [The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is wash my face with Olay Regenerist Thermal Mini-Peel Face Wash. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-gold/the-first-thing-i-do-when-i-get-up-in-the-morning-is-wash-my-face/) [Gracie Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-gold/) > [Wash your face at the end of the night! There's nothing worse than sleeping in makeup. You wake up looking like a painting that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-dobrev/wash-your-face-at-the-end-of-the-night-there-s-nothing-worse-than/) [Nina Dobrev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-dobrev/) > [I wash my face three times a day and I make sure that I always take off my makeup before I sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananya-panday/i-wash-my-face-three-times-a-day-and-i-make-sure-that-i-always-take/) [Ananya Panday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananya-panday/) > [We're often at shoots getting make-up applied throughout, so I always make sure to wash my face and get the make-up off before going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hill/we-re-often-at-shoots-getting-make-up-applied-throughout-so-i-always/) [Taylor Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hill/) > [I don't wash my face. Please don't judge me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cooper/i-don-t-wash-my-face-please-don-t-judge-me/) [Alex Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cooper/) > [With all the care that women do and all the money we spend to maintain our hair, men can at least take the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrianne-palicki/with-all-the-care-that-women-do-and-all-the-money-we-spend-to/) [Adrianne Palicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrianne-palicki/) > [I try to just, you know, make sure I wash my face in the morning and at night before I sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-maxwell/i-try-to-just-you-know-make-sure-i-wash-my-face-in-the-morning-and-at/) [Stella Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-maxwell/) > [I always keep a small timer next to me to tell me how many seconds I have to wash each part of my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/momo-hirai/i-always-keep-a-small-timer-next-to-me-to-tell-me-how-many-seconds-i/) [Momo Hirai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/momo-hirai/) > [One boy can make you hate all the guys, but one man can teach you that not all guys are the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-boy-can-make-you-hate-all-the-guys-but-one-man-can-teach-you-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Boy you make me high, I I I want you to try-y-y, Get back A.S.A.P.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-stan/boy-you-make-me-high-i-i-i-want-you-to-try-y-y-get-back-a-s-a-p/) [Alexandra Stan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-stan/) > [A boy can make you believe that he loves you when he doesnt. A girl can make you believe that she doesnt love you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xuan-ta/a-boy-can-make-you-believe-that-he-loves-you-when-he-doesnt-a-girl/) [Xuan Ta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xuan-ta/) ## More by E. W. Howe > [There is always a type of man who says he loves his fellow men, and expects to make a living at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/there-is-always-a-type-of-man-who-says-he-loves-his-fellow-men-and/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [I believe in grumbling; it is the politest form of fighting known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/i-believe-in-grumbling-it-is-the-politest-form-of-fighting-known/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [A theory is no more like a fact than a photograph is like a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/a-theory-is-no-more-like-a-fact-than-a-photograph-is-like-a-person/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Few men progress, except as they are pushed along by events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/few-men-progress-except-as-they-are-pushed-along-by-events/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Men are a good deal better collectively than they are individually. Many a man will do that privately which he will denounce in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/men-are-a-good-deal-better-collectively-than-they-are-individually/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [The modest person is usually admired, if people ever hear of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/the-modest-person-is-usually-admired-if-people-ever-hear-of-them/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [The greatest thing in the world is for a man to be able to do something well, and say nothing about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/the-greatest-thing-in-the-world-is-for-a-man-to-be-able-to-do/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [No man would listen to you talk if he didn't know it was his turn next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/no-man-would-listen-to-you-talk-if-he-didn-t-know-it-was-his-turn-next/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [People never have confidence in a Big Talker. They know his statements must be cut down, but they can never tell how much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/people-never-have-confidence-in-a-big-talker-they-know-his-statements/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [The only gambling tip which amounts to anything is to keep out of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/the-only-gambling-tip-which-amounts-to-anything-is-to-keep-out-of-the/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [One has fear in front of a goat, in back of a mule, and on every side of a fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/one-has-fear-in-front-of-a-goat-in-back-of-a-mule-and-on-every-side/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [No man's credit is ever as good as his money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/no-man-s-credit-is-ever-as-good-as-his-money/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/some-men-storm-imaginary-alps-all-their-lives-and-die-in-the/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [There is something in the red of a raspberry pie that looks as good to a man as the red in a sheep looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/there-is-something-in-the-red-of-a-raspberry-pie-that-looks-as-good/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Love affairs have always greatly interested me, but I do not greatly care for them in books or moving pictures. In a love affair,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/love-affairs-have-always-greatly-interested-me-but-i-do-not-greatly/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) [Explore all 149 E. W. Howe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) ## More Boys quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) MrAwesome > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) [Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you can't do anything else to a boy, you can make him wash his face.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "E. W. 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