---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Such physical matters were nice, yet, to…"
description: "\"Such physical matters were nice, yet, to him, intelligence and passion born of living, the ability to move and be moved by subtleties of the mind and s..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg"
---

#  Such physical matters were nice, yet, to him, intelligence…

![“Such physical matters were nice, yet, to him, intelligence and passion born of living, the ability to move and be moved by subtleties of the mind and spirit, were what really counted.” quote by Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg)

> “Such physical matters were nice, yet, to him, intelligence and passion born of living, the ability to move and be moved by subtleties of the mind and spirit, were what really counted.”

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

## About This Quote

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

Intelligence, passion, and emotional depth matter more than physical attributes.

**In simple terms:** Mind and spirit outweigh physical matters.

Key Takeaway

Value inner qualities over external ones.

Themes

values emotions inner strength

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- relationships
- personal growth
- career choices

Key Concepts

Humanism existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you prioritize inner versus outer qualities?
- What does “moving the spirit” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

Physical traits alone cannot sustain fulfillment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Ability Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-moved-4723538/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Intelligence Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence-passion-3593360/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moved/) [Moved Subtleties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moved-subtleties-4723540/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Nice Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice-intelligence-4723539/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Subtlety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subtlety/)

## Related quotes

> [It'll take a smart person with passion over someone with years of experience any day. People with intelligence and passion will get the problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-bartz/it-ll-take-a-smart-person-with-passion-over-someone-with-years-of/)

[Carol Bartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-bartz/)

> [In that daily effort in which intelligence and passion mingle and delight each other, the absurd man discovers a discipline that will make up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/in-that-daily-effort-in-which-intelligence-and-passion-mingle-and/)

[Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/)

> [“Some were made with skill and intelligence Some with passion and charm But they, they were raw, and strived to remain so…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-pandya/some-were-made-with-skill-and-intelligence-some-with-passion-and/)

[Pearl Pandya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-pandya/)

> [Some have said there is no subtlety to destruction. You know what? They're dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaya/some-have-said-there-is-no-subtlety-to-destruction-you-know-what-they/)

[Jaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaya/)

> [The American capitalists are richer and stronger than their counterparts in other lands. They are also younger and more ignorant, and therefore more inclined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-p-cannon/the-american-capitalists-are-richer-and-stronger-than-their/)

[James P. Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-p-cannon/)

> [The Silvertop and the Goldtop both had subtlety where it was needed but lots of definition as well. I liked the different voicings of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dweezil-zappa/the-silvertop-and-the-goldtop-both-had-subtlety-where-it-was-needed/)

[Dweezil Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dweezil-zappa/)

> [A small garden, accordingly, gives its owner a far greater opportunity to express himself ... in a garden any man may be an artist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-gray-otis-dwight/a-small-garden-accordingly-gives-its-owner-a-far-greater-opportunity/)

[Harrison Gray Otis Dwight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-gray-otis-dwight/)

> [Spiritual wisdom consists in finding out the subtleties, policies, and depths of any indwelling sin... to trace this serpent in all its turnings and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/spiritual-wisdom-consists-in-finding-out-the-subtleties-policies-and/)

[John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/)

> [I share this view, that Hillary Clinton did not get a fair chance with both media perspectives and the subtleties on the gender discrimination.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-echaveste/i-share-this-view-that-hillary-clinton-did-not-get-a-fair-chance-with/)

[Maria Echaveste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-echaveste/)

> [Sometimes men present a swagger that suggests a prowess, whether it's sexual or financial. L.A. seems to be a place where trying too hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-c-hall/sometimes-men-present-a-swagger-that-suggests-a-prowess-whether-it-s/)

[Michael C. Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-c-hall/)

> [Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/human-subtlety-will-never-devise-an-invention-more-beautiful-more/)

[Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/)

> [Spirit of place! It is for this we travel, to surprise its subtlety; and where it is a strong and dominant angel, that place,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-meynell/spirit-of-place-it-is-for-this-we-travel-to-surprise-its-subtlety-and/)

[Alice Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-meynell/)

> [If we do not appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the human heart, how can we appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-do-not-appreciate-the-sensitivity-and-subtlety-of-the-human/)

[Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/)

> [To become aware of the subtlety of nature you need to be alert. The moment you become alert you become still... thinking subsides. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/to-become-aware-of-the-subtlety-of-nature-you-need-to-be-alert-the/)

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

> [I’m I really working on the right thing, or once I put the solution in place I’m I going to get the benefit out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-evans/i-m-i-really-working-on-the-right-thing-or-once-i-put-the-solution-in/)

[Dave Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-evans/)

## More by Robert James Waller

> [“Such physical matters were nice, yet to him, intelligence and passion born of living, the ability to move and be moved by the subtleties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-him-intelligence-and-passion/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [The old dreams were good dreams; they didn't work out but I'm glad I had them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/the-old-dreams-were-good-dreams-they-didn-t-work-out-but-i-m-glad-i/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [Sometime I'm going to do an essay called 'The Virtues of Amateurism' for all of those people who wish they earned their living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/sometime-i-m-going-to-do-an-essay-called-the-virtues-of-amateurism/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [I sometimes have the feeling you've been here a long time, more than one lifetime, and that you've dwelt in private places none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/i-sometimes-have-the-feeling-you-ve-been-here-a-long-time-more-than/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [The heart never forgets, never gives up, the territory marked off for those who came before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/the-heart-never-forgets-never-gives-up-the-territory-marked-off-for/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [“She wore ribbons in her black hair and clung to her dreams”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/she-wore-ribbons-in-her-black-hair-and-clung-to-her-dreams/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [“Talisman, Talisman, show me your secrets, Helmsman, Helmsman, turn me for home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/talisman-talisman-show-me-your-secrets-helmsman-helmsman-turn-me-for/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [“Something I've never been able to adapt to, to understand is how they can lavish such love and care on the animals and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/something-i-ve-never-been-able-to-adapt-to-to-understand-is-how-they/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [One great love in a single lifetime was enough for anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/one-great-love-in-a-single-lifetime-was-enough-for-anyone/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [The human heart has a way of making itself large again even after it's been broken into a million pieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/the-human-heart-has-a-way-of-making-itself-large-again-even-after-it/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [It's clear to me now that I have been moving toward you and you toward me for a long time. Though neither of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/it-s-clear-to-me-now-that-i-have-been-moving-toward-you-and-you/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [The curse of modern times is the preponderance of male hormones in places where they can do long-term damage. Even if were not talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/the-curse-of-modern-times-is-the-preponderance-of-male-hormones-in/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [“His eyes looked directly at her, and she felt something jump inside. The eyes, the voice, the face, the silver hair, the easy way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/his-eyes-looked-directly-at-her-and-she-felt-something-jump-inside/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [The road is a strange place. Shuffling along, I looked up and you were there walking across the grass toward my truck on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/the-road-is-a-strange-place-shuffling-along-i-looked-up-and-you-were/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

> [“Francesca was feeling good feelings, old feelings, poetry and music feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/francesca-was-feeling-good-feelings-old-feelings-poetry-and-music/)

[Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

[Explore all 69 Robert James Waller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/)

## More Ability quotes

> [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/)

[Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/)

> [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/)

[Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/)

[Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/)

> [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/)

[Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/)

> [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

> [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/)

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

> [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/)

[Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/)

> [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/)

[Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/)

> [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/)

[Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/)

> [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/)

[Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/)

> [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/)

[Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/)

[Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Such physical matters were nice, yet, to him, intelligence and passion born of living, the ability to move and be moved by subtleties of the mind and spirit, were what really counted.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert James Waller"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-him-intelligence-and-passion-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-him-intelligence-and-passion-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/robert-james-waller-9322_ability_such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-h_2994553.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Such physical matters were nice, yet, to him, intelligence and passion born of living, the ability to move…” — Robert James Waller",
                "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": "Robert James Waller",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Such physical matters were nice, yet,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-him-intelligence-and-passion-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/such-physical-matters-were-nice-yet-to-him-intelligence-and-passion-2/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
