--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Language that tells us, through a more or…" description: "\"Language that tells us, through a more or less emotional reaction, something that can not be said.\" — Edwin Arlington Robinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg" --- # Language that tells us, through a more or less emotional… ![“Language that tells us, through a more or less emotional reaction, something that can not be said.” quote by Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg) > “Language that tells us, through a more or less emotional reaction, something that can not be said.” [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language can convey emotions that words cannot directly express, revealing deeper truths. **In simple terms:** Feelings sometimes need indirect expression. Key Takeaway Use metaphor to express complex emotions. Themes art expression emotion Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing - therapy - public speaking Key Concepts literary analysis psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you express unspoken feelings? - When is indirect language most effective? A Different Perspective Metaphors may be misunderstood. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Can not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-not/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Emotional Reaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-reaction-770264/) [Emotional reactions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-reactions/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Tells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-tells-429171/) [Reaction Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction-said-1689636/) [Reactions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reactions/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Tells Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tells-emotional-1689635/) ## Related quotes > [It might sound goofy, but I do believe that emotions have power. We're all driven by something, and most of that is emotional reaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-johns/it-might-sound-goofy-but-i-do-believe-that-emotions-have-power-we-re/) [Geoff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-johns/) > [The emotional reaction in the peak experience has a special flavor of wonder, of awe, of reverence, of humility and surrender before the experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/the-emotional-reaction-in-the-peak-experience-has-a-special-flavor-of/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [Homes-the very idea of homeownership-evoke a strong emotional reaction in all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-rascoff/homes-the-very-idea-of-homeownership-evoke-a-strong-emotional/) [Spencer Rascoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-rascoff/) > [All art is concerned with the creation of an emotional reaction on the part of the beholder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maren-elwood/all-art-is-concerned-with-the-creation-of-an-emotional-reaction-on/) [Maren Elwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maren-elwood/) > [Successful prime-time television of any genre produces some kind of emotional reaction in the viewers. There are a lot of different emotions to tap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/successful-prime-time-television-of-any-genre-produces-some-kind-of/) [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) > [The score is always the wonderful icing. The score tells you the emotional content of the film. What the characters don't say, the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-score-is-always-the-wonderful-icing-the-score-tells-you-the/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) > [Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/touch-comes-before-sight-before-speech-it-is-the-first-language-and/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Tangible language, which often tells more falsehoods than truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tangible-language-which-often-tells-more-falsehoods-than-truths/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I ask my wife last night why she love me? she said because I am funny, has a good sense of humor, make her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/i-ask-my-wife-last-night-why-she-love-me-she-said-because-i-am-funny-2/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [“He awakened to the simple truth that it is never what a person says or does that affects him, it is his reaction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/he-awakened-to-the-simple-truth-that-it-is-never-what-a-person-says/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [I ask my wife last night why she love me? She said because I am funny, has a good sense of humor, makes her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/i-ask-my-wife-last-night-why-she-love-me-she-said-because-i-am-funny/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [“I stroked a big red A on top of his paper. Looked at it for a moment or two, then added a big red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/i-stroked-a-big-red-a-on-top-of-his-paper-looked-at-it-for-a-moment/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Emotional Distress (n.): A negative emotional reaction—which may include fear, anger, anxiety, and suffering”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-gracia-williams/emotional-distress-n-a-negative-emotional-reaction-which-may-include/) [Whitney Gracia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-gracia-williams/) > [For a song cycle to work, you have to feel these things when you hear them and you either have an emotional reaction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/for-a-song-cycle-to-work-you-have-to-feel-these-things-when-you-hear/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) > [“Some problems seem irrational as they are caused by people’s emotional reaction to a set of circumstances or events.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-zhu/some-problems-seem-irrational-as-they-are-caused-by-people-s/) [Pearl Zhu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-zhu/) ## More by Edwin Arlington Robinson > [I am living on hope and faith ... a pretty good diet when the mind will receive them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/i-am-living-on-hope-and-faith-a-pretty-good-diet-when-the-mind-will/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [Life is the game that must be played.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/life-is-the-game-that-must-be-played/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [I cannot find my way: there is no star In all the shrouded heavens anywhere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/i-cannot-find-my-way-there-is-no-star-in-all-the-shrouded-heavens/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [Ah, when shall come love's courage to be strong! Tell me, O Lord--tell me, O Lord, how long Are we to keep Christ writhing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/ah-when-shall-come-love-s-courage-to-be-strong-tell-me-o-lord-tell-me/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [The world is not a prison house but a kind of spiritual kindergarten where millions of bewildered infants are trying to spell God with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/the-world-is-not-a-prison-house-but-a-kind-of-spiritual-kindergarten/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [Were it not for love, Poor life would be a ship not worth launching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/were-it-not-for-love-poor-life-would-be-a-ship-not-worth-launching/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [The typical entrepreneur is no longer the bold and tireless man of Marshall, or the sly and rapacious Moneybags of Marx, but a mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/the-typical-entrepreneur-is-no-longer-the-bold-and-tireless-man-of/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [It is impossible to understand the economic system in which we are living if we try to interpret it as a rational scheme.It has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/it-is-impossible-to-understand-the-economic-system-in-which-we-are/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [Where's the need of singing now?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/where-s-the-need-of-singing-now/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [For through it all--above, beyond it all-- I know the far-sent message of the years, I feel the coming glory of the Light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/for-through-it-all-above-beyond-it-all-i-know-the-far-sent-message-of/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [And thus we all are nighing The truth we fear to know: Death will end our crying For friends that come and go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/and-thus-we-all-are-nighing-the-truth-we-fear-to-know-death-will-end/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [Youth sees too far to see how near it is To seeing farther.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/youth-sees-too-far-to-see-how-near-it-is-to-seeing-farther/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [For when a woman is left too much alone, sooner or later she begins to think; and no man knows what then she may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/for-when-a-woman-is-left-too-much-alone-sooner-or-later-she-begins-to/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [And we who delve in beauty's lore Know all that we have known before Of what inexorable cause Makes Time so vicious in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/and-we-who-delve-in-beauty-s-lore-know-all-that-we-have-known-before/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) > [“GO to the western gate, Luke Havergal,— There where the vines cling crimson on the wall,— And in the twilight wait for what will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/go-to-the-western-gate-luke-havergal-there-where-the-vines-cling/) [Edwin Arlington Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) [Explore all 40 Edwin Arlington Robinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/) ## More Can not quotes > [Our beliefs are like the unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what's possible and what's impossible, what we can and can not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-beliefs-are-like-the-unquestioned-commands-telling-us-how-things/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [… Our lives are made in these small hours, these little wonders, these twists & turns of fate. Time falls away, but these small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-thomas/our-lives-are-made-in-these-small-hours-these-little-wonders-these/) [Rob Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-thomas/) > [ He \[Moliere\] pleases all the world, but cannot please himself. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-boileau-despreaux/he-moliere-pleases-all-the-world-but-cannot-please-himself/) [Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-boileau-despreaux/) > [Our great thoughts, our great affections, the truths of our life, never leave us. Surely they can not separate from our consciousness, shall follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/our-great-thoughts-our-great-affections-the-truths-of-our-life-never/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [You can not kill that which is already dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-undertaker/you-can-not-kill-that-which-is-already-dead/) [The Undertaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-undertaker/) > [Yes I try to do everything I can not to fail hideously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-balaban/yes-i-try-to-do-everything-i-can-not-to-fail-hideously/) [Bob Balaban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-balaban/) > [You can not have significance in this life if it is all about you. You get your significance, you find your joy in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tudor-jones/you-can-not-have-significance-in-this-life-if-it-is-all-about-you-you/) [Paul Tudor Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tudor-jones/) > [If we are true to ourselves, we can not be false to anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/if-we-are-true-to-ourselves-we-can-not-be-false-to-anyone/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If I can not dance, I shall die!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-pavlova/if-i-can-not-dance-i-shall-die/) [Anna Pavlova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-pavlova/) > [I have looked at so many photographs, I can not see them anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-heizer/i-have-looked-at-so-many-photographs-i-can-not-see-them-anymore/) [Michael Heizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-heizer/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that can not be defined but is only to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarvepalli-radhakrishnan/hinduism-is-not-just-a-faith-it-is-the-union-of-reason-and-intuition/) [Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarvepalli-radhakrishnan/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [All earth's full rivers can not fillThe sea that drinking thirsteth still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-rossetti/all-earth-s-full-rivers-can-not-fillthe-sea-that-drinking-thirsteth/) [Christina Rossetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-rossetti/) > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) [Browse all 567 Can not quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-not/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Language that tells us, through a more or less emotional reaction, something that can not be said.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edwin Arlington Robinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or-less-emotional-reaction/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Can not" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or-less-emotional-reaction/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/edwin-arlington-robinson-16439_can-not_language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or_2570854.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Language that tells us, through a more or less emotional reaction, something that can not be said.” — Edwin Arlington Robinson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edwin Arlington Robinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-arlington-robinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Language that tells us, through a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or-less-emotional-reaction/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-arlington-robinson/language-that-tells-us-through-a-more-or-less-emotional-reaction/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```