---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Her full face was not soft; it was…"
description: "\"“Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suf..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg"
---

#  Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her…

![“Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and a superhuman understanding.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg)

> ““Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and a superhuman understanding.””

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Describes a resilient, compassionate face that has endured suffering, reflecting profound empathy and calm strength.

**In simple terms:** A kind, resilient face shows deep empathy after hardship.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate calm empathy despite pain.

Themes

resilience compassion empathy strength human experience

Mood

reflective somber

Type

literary psychological

When to use this quote

- personal trauma recovery
- leadership
- mental health support
- artistic portrayal
- literary analysis

Key Concepts

psychological endurance emotional intelligence human suffering

Questions to Reflect On

- What does true compassion look like after trauma?
- How can we balance empathy with personal healing?

A Different Perspective

Idealizing calm may overlook ongoing struggle.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Controlled Kindly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/controlled-kindly-5289884/) [Eyes Experienced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes-experienced-2783978/) [Hazel eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hazel-eyes/) [Kindly Hazel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindly-hazel-5289882/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Pain and suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-and-suffering/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Suffering Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-like-635945/)

## Related quotes

> [“Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work. She wore a loose Mother Hubbard of gray cloth in which there had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/ma-was-heavy-but-not-fat-thick-with-child-bearing-and-work-she-wore-a/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“On the other hand, for those of us who have the tendency to believe that everything worthwhile should involve pain and suffering (like yours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/on-the-other-hand-for-those-of-us-who-have-the-tendency-to-believe/)

[Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/)

> [Don't judge me unless you have looked through my eyes, experienced what I have, and cried as many tears as me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-judge-me-unless-you-have-looked-through-my-eyes-experienced/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Nothing eases suffering like human touch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/nothing-eases-suffering-like-human-touch/)

[Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/)

> [And I watch my words from a long way off. They are more yours than mine. They climb on my old suffering like ivy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/and-i-watch-my-words-from-a-long-way-off-they-are-more-yours-than-2/)

[Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/)

> [And I watch my words from a long way off. They are more yours than mine. They climb on my old suffering like ivy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/and-i-watch-my-words-from-a-long-way-off-they-are-more-yours-than/)

[Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/)

> [“Suffering is like an echo - reflecting it only prolongs it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-l-papandrea/suffering-is-like-an-echo-reflecting-it-only-prolongs-it/)

[James L. Papandrea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-l-papandrea/)

> [Poverty is clearly one source of emotional suffering, but there are others, like loneliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/poverty-is-clearly-one-source-of-emotional-suffering-but-there-are-2/)

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/)

> [It's difficult to admit to ourselves that we suffer. We feel humiliated, like we should have been able to control our pain. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-difficult-to-admit-to-ourselves-that-we-suffer-we-feel/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [“If suffering like hers had any use, she reasoned, it was not to the sufferer. The only way that an individual's pain gained meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-wood-middlebrook/if-suffering-like-hers-had-any-use-she-reasoned-it-was-not-to-the/)

[Diane Wood Middlebrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-wood-middlebrook/)

> [But sometimes its hard to admit you're suffering too.It's like opening yourself up,knowing that you'll never be able to close yourself again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikkie/but-sometimes-its-hard-to-admit-you-re-suffering-too-it-s-like/)

[Nikkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikkie/)

> [“all your problems or perceived causes of suffering or unhappiness were miraculously removed for you today, but you had not become more present, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/all-your-problems-or-perceived-causes-of-suffering-or-unhappiness/)

[Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/)

> [“I love you, Theron.” His hazel eyes darkened. “I know.” Sienna waited. And then waited another second. “You know? Theron, you aren’t some scoundrel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-hackett/i-love-you-theron-his-hazel-eyes-darkened-i-know-sienna-waited-and/)

[Anna Hackett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-hackett/)

> [“Then all of a sudden, his hazel eyes penetrated me in a way that succeeded in melting away my anger. My heartbeat quickened and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-alexander/then-all-of-a-sudden-his-hazel-eyes-penetrated-me-in-a-way-that/)

[Monica Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-alexander/)

> [“Would you like me to do something about that?" Matt inquired in a polite voice, his hazel eyes sparkling, as he gazed at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/podga/would-you-like-me-to-do-something-about-that-matt-inquired-in-a/)

[Podga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/podga/)

## More by John Steinbeck

> [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

[Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

## More Hazel eyes quotes

> [“Would you like me to do something about that?" Matt inquired in a polite voice, his hazel eyes sparkling, as he gazed at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/podga/would-you-like-me-to-do-something-about-that-matt-inquired-in-a/)

[Podga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/podga/)

> [“Then all of a sudden, his hazel eyes penetrated me in a way that succeeded in melting away my anger. My heartbeat quickened and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-alexander/then-all-of-a-sudden-his-hazel-eyes-penetrated-me-in-a-way-that/)

[Monica Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-alexander/)

> [“I love you, Theron.” His hazel eyes darkened. “I know.” Sienna waited. And then waited another second. “You know? Theron, you aren’t some scoundrel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-hackett/i-love-you-theron-his-hazel-eyes-darkened-i-know-sienna-waited-and/)

[Anna Hackett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-hackett/)

> [“I want you. I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you. When I was buried inside of you I knew then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-glines/i-want-you-i-ve-wanted-you-since-the-moment-i-laid-eyes-on-you-when-i/)

[Abbi Glines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-glines/)

> [“Nesta stretched out her legs, leaning her bruised palms on the stone. 'Enjoy your exercises.' Cassian bristled. But he held out his hand again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/nesta-stretched-out-her-legs-leaning-her-bruised-palms-on-the-stone/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Kitty!” His fingers held firm yet gentle, and his hazel eyes scanned her in one quick sweep. “What in heaven’s name are you doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/kitty-his-fingers-held-firm-yet-gentle-and-his-hazel-eyes-scanned-her/)

[Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/)

> [“This girl, this impossibly sweet girl, was his present and his future, despite his past. Fate had to be smiling at him. He couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shayna-varadeaux/this-girl-this-impossibly-sweet-girl-was-his-present-and-his-future/)

[Shayna Varadeaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shayna-varadeaux/)

> [“Thou - why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-why-thou-wilt-quarrel-with-a-man-that-hath-a-hair-more-or-a-hair/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [As always, there was an all-American war hero look to him, coded in his tousled brown hair, his summer-narrowed hazel eyes, the straight nose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/as-always-there-was-an-all-american-war-hero-look-to-him-coded-in-his/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [For blue eyes, use warm browns, peaches, and yellows to compliment the eyes. Brown and hazel eyes sparkle in blue and purple shades, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-mcgrath/for-blue-eyes-use-warm-browns-peaches-and-yellows-to-compliment-the/)

[Pat McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-mcgrath/)

> [“They were such proud people. Such proud, handsome people, too, she thought, staring into his bright hazel eyes. He appeared as uncertain as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-savage/they-were-such-proud-people-such-proud-handsome-people-too-she/)

[Vivienne Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-savage/)

> [“I kissed someone tonight." "Good for you. Now go back to sleep." "It was Wesley...Wesley Rush." Casey shot straight up in bed. "Whoa!" She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kody-keplinger/i-kissed-someone-tonight-good-for-you-now-go-back-to-sleep-it-was/)

[Kody Keplinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kody-keplinger/)

> [“You know the story.” The Nalnom rotated his hand in the air as if she should recall it. “I don’t. I’ve never heard the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/you-know-the-story-the-nalnom-rotated-his-hand-in-the-air-as-if-she/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Ding! Princess Alpacca, pronounced like the animal, first in line to the throne of Alieya Island, a small nation below the south of France.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/ding-princess-alpacca-pronounced-like-the-animal-first-in-line-to-the/)

[Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/)

> [That made me feel very disturbed, because it never seemed to be about how much hard work was involved. Ever. It was about... 'hazel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ormond/that-made-me-feel-very-disturbed-because-it-never-seemed-to-be-about/)

[Julia Ormond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ormond/)

[Browse all 92 Hazel eyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hazel-eyes/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and a superhuman understanding.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Steinbeck"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-controlled-kindly-her-hazel-eyes/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Hazel eyes"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-controlled-kindly-her-hazel-eyes/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/john-steinbeck-71_hazel-eyes_her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-contro_3086801.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all…” — John Steinbeck",
                "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 Steinbeck",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Her full face was not soft;...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-controlled-kindly-her-hazel-eyes/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/her-full-face-was-not-soft-it-was-controlled-kindly-her-hazel-eyes/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
