--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I have found is that a baby—though…" description: "\"“What I have found is that a baby—though she doesn’t know words yet, or information, or the rules of life—is the most reliable judge of feelings. All a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/joyce-maynard-7181_baby_what-i-have-found-is-that-a-baby-though_2545186.jpg" --- # What I have found is that a baby—though she doesn’t know… ![“What I have found is that a baby—though she doesn’t know words yet, or information, or the rules of life—is the most reliable judge of feelings. All a baby has with which to take in the world are her five senses. Hold her, sing to her, show her the night sky or a quivering leaf, or a bug. Those…” quote by Joyce Maynard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/joyce-maynard-7181_baby_what-i-have-found-is-that-a-baby-though_2545186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/joyce-maynard-7181_baby_what-i-have-found-is-that-a-baby-though_2545186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/joyce-maynard-7181_baby_what-i-have-found-is-that-a-baby-though_2545186.jpg) > ““What I have found is that a baby—though she doesn’t know words yet, or information, or the rules of life—is the most reliable judge of feelings. All a baby has with which to take in the world are her five senses. Hold her, sing to her, show her the night sky or a quivering leaf, or a bug. Those are the ways—the only ways—she learns about the world—whether it is a safe and loving place, or a harsh one. What she will register, at least, will be the fact that she is not alone. And it has been my experience that when you do this—slow down, pay attention, follow the simple instincts of love—a person is likely to respond favorably. It is generally true of babies, and most other people too, perhaps. Also dogs. Hamsters even. And people so damaged by life in the world that there might seem no hope for them, only there may be. So I talk to her. Sometimes we dance. When our daughter’s breathing is steady again—maybe she has fallen asleep, maybe not—we buckle her up in her car seat and continue north. I always know, whatever hour it may be when we pull down the long dirt road leading to their house, that the lights will be on, and the door will be open even before we reach it—my mother standing there, with Frank beside her. You brought the baby, she says.”” [Joyce Maynard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-maynard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Babies, through their pure senses, teach us love, attention, and the importance of presence, offering hope even to the most damaged. **In simple terms:** Babies show love through simple, sensory care. Key Takeaway Be present, love simply, and offer hope. Themes parenthood empathy healing Mood compassionate hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - therapy - caregiving Key Concepts sensory experience unconditional love psychological resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can we extend this simple love to those in pain? - What limits our ability to be present? A Different Perspective Simple care may not reach everyone, especially those deeply hurt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby/) [Baby Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby-says-1238929/) [Dirt Road](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirt-road/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feelings Baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-baby-1469474/) [Five senses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five-senses/) [Judge Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judge-feelings-1469475/) [Night sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-sky/) [Pay attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay-attention/) ## Related quotes > [If two people want to be together that's up to them! not for the whole world to judge there feelings towards each other!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-moores/if-two-people-want-to-be-together-that-s-up-to-them-not-for-the-whole/) [Sarah Moores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-moores/) > [Ahh! 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