--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is not, in fact, any such thing as…" description: "\"There is not, in fact, any such thing as the direct influence of one human being on another apart from use of the physical environment as an intermedia..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png" --- # There is not, in fact, any such thing as the direct… ![“There is not, in fact, any such thing as the direct influence of one human being on another apart from use of the physical environment as an intermediary. A smile, a frown, a rebuke, a word of warning or encouragement, all involve some physical change. Otherwise, the attitude of one would not get…” quote by John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png) > “There is not, in fact, any such thing as the direct influence of one human being on another apart from use of the physical environment as an intermediary. A smile, a frown, a rebuke, a word of warning or encouragement, all involve some physical change. Otherwise, the attitude of one would not get over to alter the attitude of another.” [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human influence occurs through physical interactions, not direct mental transmission; emotions and actions affect others via observable changes. **In simple terms:** Influence is physical, not mental. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of environment in communication. Themes psychology communication philosophy Mood reflective analytical Type theoretical educational When to use this quote - classroom teaching - team meetings - public speaking Key Concepts social interaction environmental cues behavioral change Questions to Reflect On - How do you convey feelings without words? - Can non‑verbal cues be sufficient? A Different Perspective Physical mediation may limit subtle emotional impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Attitude Alter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude-alter-5466578/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-attitude/) [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Direct Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct-influence-595061/) [Encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouragement/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Get over](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-over/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Influence Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence-human-622313/) [Rebuke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebuke/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Warning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warning/) ## Related quotes > [Color is a means to exert a direct influence on the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wassily-kandinsky/color-is-a-means-to-exert-a-direct-influence-on-the-soul/) [Wassily Kandinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wassily-kandinsky/) > [If there was a direct influence on a song, I never hid it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/if-there-was-a-direct-influence-on-a-song-i-never-hid-it/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [I've basically been able to do everything, I basically run my own career and the decisions I make - whether it's how I'm gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-basically-been-able-to-do-everything-i-basically-run-my-own/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [It is easy to see that the ego is that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/it-is-easy-to-see-that-the-ego-is-that-part-of-the-id-which-has-been/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [A short exposure to the convention convinced me that the Internet may save the Democracy in that it is a way for the people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jay-hooker/a-short-exposure-to-the-convention-convinced-me-that-the-internet-may/) [John Jay Hooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay-hooker/) > [I think a lot of things do influence me, but the influence mechanism is as such that these things dive into your brain and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gilmour/i-think-a-lot-of-things-do-influence-me-but-the-influence-mechanism/) [David Gilmour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gilmour/) > [ABBA was a direct influence on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/abba-was-a-direct-influence-on-me/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [“Rhetoric is communication that attempts to coordinate social action...Its goal is to influence human choices on specific matters that require immediate attention”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-hauser/rhetoric-is-communication-that-attempts-to-coordinate-social-action/) [Gerard Hauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-hauser/) > [Beware! I'm acting under the influence of human nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/beware-i-m-acting-under-the-influence-of-human-nature/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [Find a mission that you can give yourself over to and then spend your days moving that mission forward. Man is made so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/find-a-mission-that-you-can-give-yourself-over-to-and-then-spend-your/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The wolf exerts a powerful influence on the human imagination. It takes your stare and turns it back on you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-l-pez/the-wolf-exerts-a-powerful-influence-on-the-human-imagination-it/) [Barry Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-l-pez/) > [There are only two ways to influence human behavior: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/there-are-only-two-ways-to-influence-human-behavior-you-can/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/the-influence-of-each-human-being-on-others-in-this-life-is-a-kind-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [AWe musicians can influence, and are responsible to influence, human hearts when we perform. We have to touch them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andris-nelsons/awe-musicians-can-influence-and-are-responsible-to-influence-human/) [Andris Nelsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andris-nelsons/) > [Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/who-shall-set-a-limit-to-the-influence-of-a-human-being/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by John Dewey > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“Empirically, things are poignant, tragic, beautiful, humorous, settled, disturbed, comfortable, annoying, barren, harsh, consoling, splendid, fearful; are such immediately and in their own right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/empirically-things-are-poignant-tragic-beautiful-humorous-settled/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Experiences in order to be educative must lead out into an expanding world of subject matter, a subject matter of facts or information and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/experiences-in-order-to-be-educative-must-lead-out-into-an-expanding/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A tribe, let us say, is warlike. The successes for which it strives, the achievements upon which it sets store, are connected with fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-tribe-let-us-say-is-warlike-the-successes-for-which-it-strives-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The phrase "think for one's self" is a pleonasm. Unless one does it for one's self, it isn't thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-phrase-think-for-one-s-self-is-a-pleonasm-unless-one-does-it-for/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Doctrine that eliminates or even obscures the function of choice of values and enlistment of desires and emotions in behalf of those chosen weakens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/doctrine-that-eliminates-or-even-obscures-the-function-of-choice-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract. The notion that some subjects and methods and that acquaintance with certain facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-no-such-thing-as-educational-value-in-the-abstract-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Men live in a community in virtue of the things which they have in common; and communication is the way in which they come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/men-live-in-a-community-in-virtue-of-the-things-which-they-have-in/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [We can have facts without thinking but we cannot have thinking without facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/we-can-have-facts-without-thinking-but-we-cannot-have-thinking/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [But progress in knowledge has made us aware of the superficiality of Plato's lumping of individuals and their original powers into a few sharply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/but-progress-in-knowledge-has-made-us-aware-of-the-superficiality-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Even the alleged benefits of war, so far as more than alleged, spring from the fact that conflict of peoples at least enforces intercourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/even-the-alleged-benefits-of-war-so-far-as-more-than-alleged-spring/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“When the organization called soul is free, moving and operative, initial as well as terminal, it is spirit. Qualities are both static, substantial, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/when-the-organization-called-soul-is-free-moving-and-operative/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Since in reality there is nothing to which growth is relative save more growth, there is nothing to which education is subordinate save more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/since-in-reality-there-is-nothing-to-which-growth-is-relative-save/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Creative thinking will improve as we relate the new fact to the old and all facts to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/creative-thinking-will-improve-as-we-relate-the-new-fact-to-the-old/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) [Explore all 486 John Dewey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is not, in fact, any such thing as the direct influence of one human being on another apart from use of the physical environment as an intermediary. A smile, a frown, a rebuke, a word of warning or encouragement, all involve some physical change. Otherwise, the attitude of one would not get over to alter the attitude of another.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Dewey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-the-direct-influence-of-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-the-direct-influence-of-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/john-dewey-545_attitude_there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-t_1494572.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is not, in fact, any such thing as the direct influence of one human being on another apart from use…” — John Dewey", "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": "John Dewey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is not, in fact, any...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-the-direct-influence-of-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-not-in-fact-any-such-thing-as-the-direct-influence-of-one/#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 } } ] } ```