--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette…" description: "\"“Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette, said about watching, 'Along with love and work, this is the third great salvation. For whenever someone is ser..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg" --- # Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette, said about… ![“Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette, said about watching, 'Along with love and work, this is the third great salvation. For whenever someone is seriously watching, a form of lost innocence is restored. It will not last, but during those minutes his self-consciousness is relieved.' Noticing…” quote by Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg) > ““Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette, said about watching, 'Along with love and work, this is the third great salvation. For whenever someone is seriously watching, a form of lost innocence is restored. It will not last, but during those minutes his self-consciousness is relieved.' Noticing keeps you alive.”” [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Watching restores a fleeting innocence and relieves self‑consciousness, keeping us alive through attentive presence. **In simple terms:** Watching brings innocence back and eases self‑awareness. Key Takeaway Practice mindful observation. Themes attention innocence self‑awareness Mood contemplative inspirational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - art appreciation - learning - personal reflection Key Concepts philosophy of perception psychology of presence Questions to Reflect On - How does attentive watching change your perception? - When have you felt restored by watching? A Different Perspective Observation can be passive, not always restorative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love And Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-work/) [Noticing Keeps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noticing-keeps-4065763/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Said Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-watching-862406/) [Seriously Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seriously-watching-3111235/) [Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching/) [Watching Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-love-891249/) ## Related quotes > [Some people just come to a rally to see the stars. But some do take us seriously. They have been watching us on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asrani/some-people-just-come-to-a-rally-to-see-the-stars-but-some-do-take-us/) [Asrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asrani/) > [“Even though I always came back, he said he was always watching me leave.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-novosel/even-though-i-always-came-back-he-said-he-was-always-watching-me-leave/) [Kimberly Novosel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-novosel/) > [It's why I left TV. I couldn't handle everybody telling me what I should have done after they watched me on TV. I said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/it-s-why-i-left-tv-i-couldn-t-handle-everybody-telling-me-what-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“And Trent,” I said, watching Rex since Jenks was preoccupied with a flightless child. “Beloved city son and idiot billionaire goes and gets caught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/and-trent-i-said-watching-rex-since-jenks-was-preoccupied-with-a/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [Just remember, I am not going anywhere,” he said, still watching her lips. “And if you ever try to hide from me, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-pharaoh-francis/just-remember-i-am-not-going-anywhere-he-said-still-watching-her-lips/) [Diana Pharaoh Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-pharaoh-francis/) > [“I think maybe they are watching, he said. They are watching for a thing that even death cannot undo and if they do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/i-think-maybe-they-are-watching-he-said-they-are-watching-for-a-thing/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [The hardest thing in life is watching someone you love with someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-hardest-thing-in-life-is-watching-someone-you-love-with-someone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“How would you know?" I demanded, splashing water in Harrison's face. "You were watching him, too." "Too!" he cried. "I got you! Ha. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kody-keplinger/how-would-you-know-i-demanded-splashing-water-in-harrison-s-face-you/) [Kody Keplinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kody-keplinger/) > [“Damn" Johnny muttered watching her go. "It might not be love, but it sure is fun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/damn-johnny-muttered-watching-her-go-it-might-not-be-love-but-it-sure/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [I grew up watching 'I Love Lucy.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-ganz/i-grew-up-watching-i-love-lucy/) [Megan Ganz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-ganz/) > [You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-watson-purkey/you-ve-gotta-dance-like-there-s-nobody-watching-love-like-you-ll/) [William Watson Purkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-watson-purkey/) > [You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never going to hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ve-got-to-dance-like-nobody-s-watching-and-love-like-it-s-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dance as though know one is watching Love as though you've never been hurt Sing as though no one can hear you Live as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-philip-sousa/dance-as-though-know-one-is-watching-love-as-though-you-ve-never-been/) [John Philip Sousa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-philip-sousa/) > [“I didn't call you because I'm tired of you only wanting me around when you need something. I'm tired of watching you be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-didn-t-call-you-because-i-m-tired-of-you-only-wanting-me-around/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The hardest thing is watching your love walk away You cant stop him, you cant make him turn around All you can do is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hollie-santos/the-hardest-thing-is-watching-your-love-walk-away-you-cant-stop-him/) [Hollie Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hollie-santos/) ## More by Molly Peacock > [ Harriet Levin \[is\] a shining poet in her generation… The dynamics of her language and her vigorous voice distinguish all her poems. Levin's fearless… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/harriet-levin-is-a-shining-poet-in-her-generation-the-dynamics-of-her/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) > [“...prose unfolds in time; and time contains both obstacles and revelations. Prose develops, the way characters and situations do. It requires a flow. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/prose-unfolds-in-time-and-time-contains-both-obstacles-and/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) > [“But if a role model in her seventies isn't layered with contradictions - as we all come to be - then what good is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/but-if-a-role-model-in-her-seventies-isn-t-layered-with/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) > [What an invaluable handbook! Lori A. May has done her research, knows her stuff, and, whats best, lets the programs speak for themselves through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/what-an-invaluable-handbook-lori-a-may-has-done-her-research-knows/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) > [“Having a collection, taking it out, looking at it, reordering it, and putting it away is creative in itself. It doesn't yield a product,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/having-a-collection-taking-it-out-looking-at-it-reordering-it-and/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) > [Is being burnt a requisite for the making of art? Personally, I don't think it is. But art is poultice for a burn. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/is-being-burnt-a-requisite-for-the-making-of-art-personally-i-don-t/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) > [The secret of marriage is thinking that your partner is better than yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/the-secret-of-marriage-is-thinking-that-your-partner-is-better-than/) [Molly Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) [Explore all 8 Molly Peacock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/) ## More Love quotes > [Whatever meaning 'Annie's Song' had for me on a personal level, there was also a larger context. It could just as easily have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-denver/whatever-meaning-annie-s-song-had-for-me-on-a-personal-level-there/) [John Denver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-denver/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I love going to Columbia, Missouri. That is a really underrated campus. It shocked me when I went there because I really didn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-love-going-to-columbia-missouri-that-is-a-really-underrated-campus/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [I fell in love with social work, and that was my undoing as a poet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rakosi/i-fell-in-love-with-social-work-and-that-was-my-undoing-as-a-poet/) [Carl Rakosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rakosi/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“To be loved by a man, truly loved, made a woman feel as if she could burst. Of course, Lia was strong and could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-anne/to-be-loved-by-a-man-truly-loved-made-a-woman-feel-as-if-she-could/) [Melody Anne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-anne/) > [So when you take those tears, don't look to see I'm alright. …\*Seal - Violet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nickel/so-when-you-take-those-tears-don-t-look-to-see-i-m-alright-seal-violet/) [Eric Nickel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nickel/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [I could program a 'fabulous, I love it' kind of hit season right now. I'm more interested in breaking boundaries, telling a story, defying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-wolfe/i-could-program-a-fabulous-i-love-it-kind-of-hit-season-right-now-i-m/) [George C. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-wolfe/) [Browse all 233,035 Love quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette, said about watching, 'Along with love and work, this is the third great salvation. For whenever someone is seriously watching, a form of lost innocence is restored. It will not last, but during those minutes his self-consciousness is relieved.' Noticing keeps you alive.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Molly Peacock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-said-about-watching-along-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Love" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-said-about-watching-along-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/molly-peacock-46158_love_robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-sa_2081302.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette, said about watching, 'Along with love and work, this is the third…” — Molly Peacock", "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": "Molly Peacock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-peacock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Robert Phelps, a biographer of Colette,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-said-about-watching-along-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-peacock/robert-phelps-a-biographer-of-colette-said-about-watching-along-with/#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 } } ] } ```