--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He also looked very handsome, even though…" description: "\"“He also looked very handsome, even though there was a smear of dirt on his gold-hued cheek that she very much wanted to wipe off. She resisted the urg..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/sarah-beth-durst-10639_girl-meets-boy_he-also-looked-very-handsome-even-though_524468.jpg" --- # He also looked very handsome, even though there was a… ![“He also looked very handsome, even though there was a smear of dirt on his gold-hued cheek that she very much wanted to wipe off. She resisted the urge, though, since he was looking at her with so much confusion and alarm in his face that she thought he might flee if she tried. She knew what he…” quote by Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/sarah-beth-durst-10639_girl-meets-boy_he-also-looked-very-handsome-even-though_524468.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/sarah-beth-durst-10639_girl-meets-boy_he-also-looked-very-handsome-even-though_524468.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce3/sarah-beth-durst-10639_girl-meets-boy_he-also-looked-very-handsome-even-though_524468.jpg) > ““He also looked very handsome, even though there was a smear of dirt on his gold-hued cheek that she very much wanted to wipe off. She resisted the urge, though, since he was looking at her with so much confusion and alarm in his face that she thought he might flee if she tried. She knew what he was seeing when he looked at her: a short, plump, pastel-colored woman who was pretty in the same kind of harmless way that bunnies are pretty.”” [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A woman is drawn to a handsome but confused man, yet she restrains herself because she senses his fear and vulnerability, highlighting empathy over desire. **In simple terms:** She holds back because she senses his fear. Key Takeaway Respect his feelings before acting on attraction. Themes empathy desire vulnerability self‑control Mood thoughtful protective introspective Type narrative character‑driven literary When to use this quote - first encounter - romantic tension - social anxiety - protective instincts Key Concepts human connection social perception inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - What would you do if you sensed someone’s fear before acting? - How can empathy guide personal boundaries? A Different Perspective He may interpret her touch as a threat, causing him to retreat. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden/) [Handsome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handsome/) [Handsome Smear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handsome-smear-4419766/) [Hued Cheek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hued-cheek-4419767/) [Looked Handsome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked-handsome-1615227/) [Pastel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pastel/) [Romantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romantasy/) [Skin color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skin-color/) [Woman Pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woman-pretty-299752/) ## Related quotes > [“He also looked remarkably handsome, even more handsome the longer she looked at him. He had gorgeous gold-and-black hair--- jet-black streaked with gold that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/he-also-looked-remarkably-handsome-even-more-handsome-the-longer-she/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [He looked less handsome without the smile and glow in his eyes, but he also seemed more real. Being real will get me into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-looked-less-handsome-without-the-smile-and-glow-in-his-eyes-but-he/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“He turned his face to mine, looked down. Handsome, chilling man. His eyes were the clearest I’d ever seen. This was a man that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/he-turned-his-face-to-mine-looked-down-handsome-chilling-man-his-eyes/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [“His face was gaunt, scraped and bloody, his hair dusted with cobwebs, but when he locked eyes with her, she thought he had never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/his-face-was-gaunt-scraped-and-bloody-his-hair-dusted-with-cobwebs/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“I leaned my head on the back of the wooden chair and looked over at his handsome profile, all alight in the glow of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-sheridan/i-leaned-my-head-on-the-back-of-the-wooden-chair-and-looked-over-at/) [Mia Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-sheridan/) > [“Reed, relieved that he didn’t follow me. He looked so handsome in his dark wool suit and smelled absolutely… amazing. After two glasses of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-l-middleton/reed-relieved-that-he-didn-t-follow-me-he-looked-so-handsome-in-his/) [K.L. Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-l-middleton/) > [She wished she could understand her reaction to him. Why, her heart was pacing a wild beat again. Madelyne dared a quick look up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-garwood/she-wished-she-could-understand-her-reaction-to-him-why-her-heart-was/) [Julie Garwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-garwood/) > [“...why, he very nearly almost looked handsome. If you could ignore the telltale signs that he is a certified creep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/why-he-very-nearly-almost-looked-handsome-if-you-could-ignore-the/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [There are the aesthetic pressures for a woman to be pretty and sexy, but not sexual or have desires beyond winning a guy's affections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maren-morris/there-are-the-aesthetic-pressures-for-a-woman-to-be-pretty-and-sexy/) [Maren Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maren-morris/) > [“Every woman's pretty intimidating when you only look at her accomplishments.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-h-jamison/every-woman-s-pretty-intimidating-when-you-only-look-at-her/) [Rebecca H. Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-h-jamison/) > [“Who is this grave and pretty young woman? Not pretty. Beautiful. Yes, I think so. Who is she? I know so little. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-richler/who-is-this-grave-and-pretty-young-woman-not-pretty-beautiful-yes-i/) [Emma Richler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-richler/) > [I'm a short woman with a pretty good body and large breasts — that's not what I think of as sexy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-barbeau/i-m-a-short-woman-with-a-pretty-good-body-and-large-breasts-that-s/) [Adrienne Barbeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-barbeau/) > [First off, it's a bit of a tired old chestnut that if a woman is pretty than she can't be bright. God what are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-nightingale/first-off-it-s-a-bit-of-a-tired-old-chestnut-that-if-a-woman-is/) [Mary Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-nightingale/) > [A lady once expressed herself in society - the very words show that they were uttered with fervour and under the pressure of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/a-lady-once-expressed-herself-in-society-the-very-words-show-that/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Don't tell a woman she's pretty; tell her there's no other woman like her, and all roads will open to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-renard/don-t-tell-a-woman-she-s-pretty-tell-her-there-s-no-other-woman-like/) [Jules Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-renard/) ## More by Sarah Beth Durst > [“I can't be bound by a past self I don't remember.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/i-can-t-be-bound-by-a-past-self-i-don-t-remember/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“She'd always been a little excitable, a little more passionate about books than your average person, but she was supposed to be -- she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/she-d-always-been-a-little-excitable-a-little-more-passionate-about/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“ 'Hubba-Hubba' never slips out," Zeke said. "You selected those words with deliberate intent, and I question your commitment to the respectable use of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/hubba-hubba-never-slips-out-zeke-said-you-selected-those-words-with/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“My manly strength will not allow me to choose a less unyielding material," Matt said. "I have rocks for muscles. You fear my strength.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/my-manly-strength-will-not-allow-me-to-choose-a-less-unyielding/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Whether you made your choices with your eyes open or closed, they’re made. It’s not time to regret them; it’s time to live with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/whether-you-made-your-choices-with-your-eyes-open-or-closed-they-re/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Both instances, sweet. Also stupid, which pretty much defined Evan: sweet and stupid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/both-instances-sweet-also-stupid-which-pretty-much-defined-evan-sweet/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Impressive vocabulary," Korbyn said. "I feel as though I should take notes." "I think she's making them up," Liyana said. "Half of them are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/impressive-vocabulary-korbyn-said-i-feel-as-though-i-should-take/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Last period of the day was new gym class. It was her only class that didn't include Evan, which was a relief. She should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/last-period-of-the-day-was-new-gym-class-it-was-her-only-class-that/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“To you,” he said, “I surrender my heart and soul.” She rolled her eyes. “Very romantic, considering you have neither.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/to-you-he-said-i-surrender-my-heart-and-soul-she-rolled-her-eyes-very/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“A unicorn stepped onto the path. Kiela gasped. Caz breathed, "Whoa." It was like moonlit water, so bright that tears sprang into Kiela's eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/a-unicorn-stepped-onto-the-path-kiela-gasped-caz-breathed-whoa-it-was/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Across the water, she saw a herd of merhorses rise and fall with the waves. Her breath caught in her throat. Half horse and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/across-the-water-she-saw-a-herd-of-merhorses-rise-and-fall-with-the/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Glaring at the unicorn silhouette, she decided she hated coincidences. Or cosmic signs. Whichever it was. She felt as if the universe were laughing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/glaring-at-the-unicorn-silhouette-she-decided-she-hated-coincidences/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Imagine that it's sugar," Korbyn said. 'You're riding across candy.' "Salt can never be sugar," Fennik said. "We should talk about the definition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/imagine-that-it-s-sugar-korbyn-said-you-re-riding-across-candy-salt/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“You do realize that you are addressing the emperor of the Crescent Empire." "And you are addressing a free woman of the desert. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/you-do-realize-that-you-are-addressing-the-emperor-of-the-crescent/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“In the history of the world, telling someone to ‘calm down’ has never done anything but piss them off more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/in-the-history-of-the-world-telling-someone-to-calm-down-has-never/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) [Explore all 64 Sarah Beth Durst quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) ## More Golden quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [Apuleius married a rich widow, then wrote \_The Golden Ass\_.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/apuleius-married-a-rich-widow-then-wrote-the-golden-ass/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) [Walsham How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walsham-how/) > [Just because the Americans are so good at rattling out accessible and cheap junk food, nobody looks twice when it comes to their food.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-oliver/just-because-the-americans-are-so-good-at-rattling-out-accessible-and/) [Jamie Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-oliver/) > [“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/yes-when-i-get-big-and-have-my-own-home-no-plush-chairs-and-lace/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [Most people put money in their piggy bank. I buy a goose that lays golden eggs over and over again. 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Today it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-dunbar/we-re-in-a-golden-age-for-television-tv-25-years-ago-was-slow/) [Adrian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-dunbar/) > [You are quite, quite wrong if you think that ... I find your happiness painful. What matters is that happiness - the golden day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-holtby/you-are-quite-quite-wrong-if-you-think-that-i-find-your-happiness/) [Winifred Holtby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-holtby/) > [We dance, we dance. You hold the thread of my soul. You spin, you spin. And you unravel the part from the whole. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/we-dance-we-dance-you-hold-the-thread-of-my-soul-you-spin-you-spin/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“I have found it an amusing strategy, when asked whether I am an atheist, to point out that the questioner is also an atheist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-have-found-it-an-amusing-strategy-when-asked-whether-i-am-an/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we would have them do to us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the-golden-rule-of-doing-to/) [William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/) > [For years, I had a top secret clearance and never left Russia. Just once did I go to Bulgaria with my wife for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/for-years-i-had-a-top-secret-clearance-and-never-left-russia-just/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agesilaus-ii/by-sowing-frugality-we-reap-liberty-a-golden-harvest/) [Agesilaus II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agesilaus-ii/) [Browse all 2,034 Golden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He also looked very handsome, even though there was a smear of dirt on his gold-hued cheek that she very much wanted to wipe off. She resisted the urge, though, since he was looking at her with so much confusion and alarm in his face that she thought he might flee if she tried. 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