--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was still looking steadily at her. His…" description: "\"“He was still looking steadily at her. His eyes were clear, cool and hard, but something in the depths of them flickered and shifted. She thought: 'He'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/jean-rhys-2447_peace_he-was-still-looking-steadily-at-her-his_1667876.jpg" --- # He was still looking steadily at her. His eyes were clear… ![“He was still looking steadily at her. His eyes were clear, cool and hard, but something in the depths of them flickered and shifted. She thought: 'He'd take any advantage he could -- fair or unfair. Caddish he is.' Then as she stared back at him she felt a great longing to put her head on his…” quote by Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/jean-rhys-2447_peace_he-was-still-looking-steadily-at-her-his_1667876.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/jean-rhys-2447_peace_he-was-still-looking-steadily-at-her-his_1667876.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/jean-rhys-2447_peace_he-was-still-looking-steadily-at-her-his_1667876.jpg) > ““He was still looking steadily at her. His eyes were clear, cool and hard, but something in the depths of them flickered and shifted. She thought: 'He'd take any advantage he could -- fair or unfair. Caddish he is.' Then as she stared back at him she felt a great longing to put her head on his knees and shut her eyes. To stop thinking. Stop the little wheels in her head that worked incessantly. To give in and have a little peace. The unutterably sweet peace of giving in.”” [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She longs for surrender and peace, escaping relentless mental turmoil. **In simple terms:** She seeks peace through surrender. Key Takeaway Allow yourself moments of quiet surrender. Themes longing peace mental fatigue escape vulnerability Mood melancholic introspective Type literary emotional When to use this quote - stressful work - relationship tension - creative blocks Key Concepts surrender inner peace mental overload Questions to Reflect On - When did you last let go of mental chatter? - What does peace feel like for you? A Different Perspective Surrender may be misread as weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Caddish Stared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caddish-stared-827456/) [Eyes Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes-stop-541319/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Shifted Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shifted-thought-827457/) [Shut Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shut-eyes/) [Steadily Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steadily-eyes-443053/) ## Related quotes > [“He looked steadily in my eyes, and held my hand affectionally. “Narissa, let me take you away to a world that you have never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-d-skye/he-looked-steadily-in-my-eyes-and-held-my-hand-affectionally-narissa/) [Keira D. Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-d-skye/) > [“But her brown eyes made me stop breathing. They made me stop thinking. It was like a sick game and I wanted out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-l-naeole/but-her-brown-eyes-made-me-stop-breathing-they-made-me-stop-thinking/) [S.L. Naeole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-l-naeole/) > [“My love, we can close our eyes but we cannot stop the sunrise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/my-love-we-can-close-our-eyes-but-we-cannot-stop-the-sunrise/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [It's less a matter of looking the other way than of closing our eyes to what we can't stop from happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-golden/it-s-less-a-matter-of-looking-the-other-way-than-of-closing-our-eyes/) [Arthur Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-golden/) > [Ask My Eyes To Stop Looking At You. Ask My Brain To Stop Thinking About You. Ask My Imagination To Stop Dreaming About You...¥…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknownbaby/ask-my-eyes-to-stop-looking-at-you-ask-my-brain-to-stop-thinking-2/) [UNkNoWnBaBy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unknownbaby/) > [They say you never know what you have until its gone, so why not open your eyes and stop taking what you have for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mzlady-bee/they-say-you-never-know-what-you-have-until-its-gone-so-why-not-open/) [MzLady Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mzlady-bee/) > [Sometimes you have to open your eyes and stop what you really feel in order for you to avoid the broken glass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristyl/sometimes-you-have-to-open-your-eyes-and-stop-what-you-really-feel-in/) [Kristyl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristyl/) > [Ask My Eyes To Stop Looking At You, Ask My Brain To Stop Thinking About You. Ask My Imagination To StopDreaming About You Ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiah/ask-my-eyes-to-stop-looking-at-you-ask-my-brain-to-stop-thinking/) [Jiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiah/) > [Ask my eyes to stop looking at u.. Ask my brain to stop thnking about u... Ask my imagination to stop dreaming about u...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronak-gurung/ask-my-eyes-to-stop-looking-at-u-ask-my-brain-to-stop-thnking-about-u/) [Ronak Gurung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronak-gurung/) > [“Your eyes stop on the mumbling faces in front of you, but you can't actually hear what anyone is saying. Not over the screaming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-eyes-stop-on-the-mumbling-faces-in-front-of-you-but-you-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes the tears just flow so endlessly from my eyes, and you are the only one who could stop them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-the-tears-just-flow-so-endlessly-from-my-eyes-and-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The trouble is you can shut your eyes but you can’t shut your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-trouble-is-you-can-shut-your-eyes-but-you-can-t-shut-your-mind/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“I shut my eyes tightly, willing myself to go back to sleep. I want to go back to my dream, back to Caleb. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/i-shut-my-eyes-tightly-willing-myself-to-go-back-to-sleep-i-want-to/) [C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/) > [“She had seen Daniel here earlier. He had come onto the ward, sat beside her bed. As soon as she saw him coming she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-edwards/she-had-seen-daniel-here-earlier-he-had-come-onto-the-ward-sat-beside/) [Mark Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-edwards/) > [“I shut my eyes tight, trying to savor the moment. I knew I would wish for that moment back every day of my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/i-shut-my-eyes-tight-trying-to-savor-the-moment-i-knew-i-would-wish/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) ## More by Jean Rhys > [Of course she had some pathetic illusions about herself or she would not be able to go on living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/of-course-she-had-some-pathetic-illusions-about-herself-or-she-would/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [As soon as I turned the key I saw it hanging, the color of fire and sunset. the colour of flamboyant flowers. ‘If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/as-soon-as-i-turned-the-key-i-saw-it-hanging-the-color-of-fire-and/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [Human beings are struggling, and so they are egoists. But it's wrong to say that they are wholy cruel - it's a deformed view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/human-beings-are-struggling-and-so-they-are-egoists-but-it-s-wrong-to/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [“THe room was large and low-ceilinged, the striped wallpaper faded to inoffensiveness. A huge dark wardrobe faced a huge dark bed. The rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/the-room-was-large-and-low-ceilinged-the-striped-wallpaper-faded-to/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [There is no doubt that running away on a fresh, blue morning can be exhilarating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/there-is-no-doubt-that-running-away-on-a-fresh-blue-morning-can-be/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [Blot out the moon, Pull down the stars. Love in the dark, for we're for the dark So soon, so soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/blot-out-the-moon-pull-down-the-stars-love-in-the-dark-for-we-re-for/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [“But in the daytime it was all right. And when you'd had a drink you knew it was the best way to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/but-in-the-daytime-it-was-all-right-and-when-you-d-had-a-drink-you/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [She’ll have no lover, for I don’t want her and she’ll see no other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/she-ll-have-no-lover-for-i-don-t-want-her-and-she-ll-see-no-other/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [Everything tender and melancholy - as life is sometimes, just for one moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/everything-tender-and-melancholy-as-life-is-sometimes-just-for-one/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [“have spunks and do battle for yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/have-spunks-and-do-battle-for-yourself/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [“You are walking along a road peacefully. You trip. You fall into blackness. That's the past - or perhaps the future. And you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/you-are-walking-along-a-road-peacefully-you-trip-you-fall-into/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [“She spent the foggy day in endless, aimless walking, for it seemed to her that if she moved quickly enough she would escape the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/she-spent-the-foggy-day-in-endless-aimless-walking-for-it-seemed-to/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [But they never last, the golden days. And it can be sad, the sun in the afternoon, can't it? Yes, it can be sad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/but-they-never-last-the-golden-days-and-it-can-be-sad-the-sun-in-the/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [She could give herself up to the written word as naturally as a good dancer to music or a fine swimmer to water. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/she-could-give-herself-up-to-the-written-word-as-naturally-as-a-good/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) > [“There is no control over memory.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rhys/there-is-no-control-over-memory/) [Jean Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) [Explore all 165 Jean Rhys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rhys/) ## More Peace quotes > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) [W.J. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-j-turner/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [When we are capable of living in the moment free from the tyranny of "shoulds," free from the nagging sensation that this moment isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-z-borysenko/when-we-are-capable-of-living-in-the-moment-free-from-the-tyranny-of/) [Joan Z. Borysenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-z-borysenko/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [“There is no fortune greater than peace; there is no force greater than peace; there is no excellent tapas greater than peace; there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muruganar/there-is-no-fortune-greater-than-peace-there-is-no-force-greater-than/) [Muruganar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muruganar/) > [Give me love, give me peace on earth, give me light, give me life, keep me free from birth, give me hope, help me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-me-love-give-me-peace-on-earth-give-me-light-give-me-life-keep/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [The great force for forging a society into a solid mass has always been war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-graham-sumner/the-great-force-for-forging-a-society-into-a-solid-mass-has-always/) [William Graham Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-graham-sumner/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [War is like a fire. One man may start it, but it will spread all over. It is not about one thing in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-like-a-fire-one-man-may-start-it-but-it-will-spread-all-over/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 27,655 Peace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He was still looking steadily at her. His eyes were clear, cool and hard, but something in the depths of them flickered and shifted. She thought: 'He'd take any advantage he could -- fair or unfair. Caddish he is.' 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