--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People assume that emotions are what…" description: "\"“People assume that emotions are what shape behavior, but this is not necessarily true. The relationship is reciprocal; behavior often shapes how we fe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/shaunti-feldhahn-39891_habits_people-assume-that-emotions-are-what-sha_1757247.jpg" --- # People assume that emotions are what shape behavior, but… ![“People assume that emotions are what shape behavior, but this is not necessarily true. The relationship is reciprocal; behavior often shapes how we feel about things.” quote by Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/shaunti-feldhahn-39891_habits_people-assume-that-emotions-are-what-sha_1757247.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/shaunti-feldhahn-39891_habits_people-assume-that-emotions-are-what-sha_1757247.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/shaunti-feldhahn-39891_habits_people-assume-that-emotions-are-what-sha_1757247.jpg) > ““People assume that emotions are what shape behavior, but this is not necessarily true. The relationship is reciprocal; behavior often shapes how we feel about things.”” [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Behavior influences emotions, not just the other way; they shape each other reciprocally. **In simple terms:** Our actions affect how we feel, and feelings affect actions. Key Takeaway Be mindful of how actions shape emotions. Themes behavior emotions reciprocity Mood thoughtful analytical Type educational practical When to use this quote - marriage counseling - team dynamics - personal growth Key Concepts psychology of relationships feedback loops Questions to Reflect On - How can you align actions with desired emotions? - What habits reinforce positive emotional cycles? A Different Perspective Changing behavior alone may not change deep feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) ## Related quotes > [I cannot assume emotions I do not feel, and must describe Jerusalem as I found it. Since being here, I have read the accounts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/i-cannot-assume-emotions-i-do-not-feel-and-must-describe-jerusalem-as/) [Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/) > [I threw away my phone I thought that you should know I'd throw away my home If I had somewhere to go Anything to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-simpson/i-threw-away-my-phone-i-thought-that-you-should-know-i-d-throw-away/) [Ashlee Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-simpson/) > [God, help me to focus on Truth instead of the trial. Help me to give thanks instead of giving into fear. Help me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-daugherty/god-help-me-to-focus-on-truth-instead-of-the-trial-help-me-to-give/) Whitney Daugherty > [“When love carries us away on its brittle wings, we are too intoxicated to comprehend its power. We just want to soar and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balroop-singh/when-love-carries-us-away-on-its-brittle-wings-we-are-too-intoxicated/) [Balroop Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balroop-singh/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [My mind has trouble processing all the emotions I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mind-has-trouble-processing-all-the-emotions-i-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) Marlin > [You will never fully understand how much you mean to me, because there are no amount of words that can begin to describe my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-fully-understand-how-much-you-mean-to-me-because-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don't have the opportunity to live. You don't want to die for love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/on-stage-you-can-bring-all-those-strong-emotions-that-you-don-t-have/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) ## More by Shaunti Feldhahn > [“those students who are exposed to many different experiences and beliefs learn far more than those who are not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/those-students-who-are-exposed-to-many-different-experiences-and/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [Just as you need the man in your life to love you unconditionally, even when you’re not particularly lovable, your man needs you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/just-as-you-need-the-man-in-your-life-to-love-you-unconditionally/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [“carrying out kindness means doing a small act of generosity for someone else; overcoming our tendency to be selfish, inattentive, busy, impatient, or focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/carrying-out-kindness-means-doing-a-small-act-of-generosity-for/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [By praying for our husbands and looking to the Lord rather than to our circumstances, we trust Him to carry both our husband and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/by-praying-for-our-husbands-and-looking-to-the-lord-rather-than-to/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [“Second, if you are one of those rare women who is a size 2 and convinced you're fat, be careful. You're probably delusional.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/second-if-you-are-one-of-those-rare-women-who-is-a-size-2-and/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [“I found that one of the main reasons happy couples are so happy is because they always try to assume that their spouses have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/i-found-that-one-of-the-main-reasons-happy-couples-are-so-happy-is/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [“God’s design for a godly marriage is wondrous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/god-s-design-for-a-godly-marriage-is-wondrous/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [Some things just push a man's buttons. This goes beyond what we say-and into how we say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/some-things-just-push-a-man-s-buttons-this-goes-beyond-what-we-say/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [A biblical woman embraces God's callings, chooses wisely, lives courageously, and expects God's greater reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/a-biblical-woman-embraces-god-s-callings-chooses-wisely-lives/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) > [It's so tempting to try to do it all, so as not to miss out. But to do all of those 'good things' means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaunti-feldhahn/it-s-so-tempting-to-try-to-do-it-all-so-as-not-to-miss-out-but-to-do/) [Shaunti Feldhahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) [Explore all 11 Shaunti Feldhahn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaunti-feldhahn/) ## More Emotions quotes > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don't have the opportunity to live. You don't want to die for love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/on-stage-you-can-bring-all-those-strong-emotions-that-you-don-t-have/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [You will never fully understand how much you mean to me, because there are no amount of words that can begin to describe my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-fully-understand-how-much-you-mean-to-me-because-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) Marlin > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mind has trouble processing all the emotions I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mind-has-trouble-processing-all-the-emotions-i-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“When love carries us away on its brittle wings, we are too intoxicated to comprehend its power. We just want to soar and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balroop-singh/when-love-carries-us-away-on-its-brittle-wings-we-are-too-intoxicated/) [Balroop Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balroop-singh/) > [God, help me to focus on Truth instead of the trial. Help me to give thanks instead of giving into fear. Help me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-daugherty/god-help-me-to-focus-on-truth-instead-of-the-trial-help-me-to-give/) Whitney Daugherty > [Love is an ocean of emotions entirely sorrounded by expensee..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-an-ocean-of-emotions-entirely-sorrounded-by-expensee/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) [Browse all 4,415 Emotions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“People assume that emotions are what shape behavior, but this is not necessarily true. 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