--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The expression of a gentleman's face is…" description: "\"The expression of a gentleman's face is not so much that of refinement, as of flexibility, not of sensibility and enthusiasm as of indifference; it arg..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png" --- # The expression of a gentleman's face is not so much that… ![“The expression of a gentleman's face is not so much that of refinement, as of flexibility, not of sensibility and enthusiasm as of indifference; it argues presence of mind rather than enlargement of ideas.” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png) > “The expression of a gentleman's face is not so much that of refinement, as of flexibility, not of sensibility and enthusiasm as of indifference; it argues presence of mind rather than enlargement of ideas.” [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A gentleman’s facial expression shows mental agility and composure more than refined ideas or enthusiasm. **In simple terms:** Expression reflects presence of mind. Key Takeaway Value composure over flamboyance. Themes etiquette philosophy character mindfulness social perception Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - professional interviews - social networking - leadership presence - public speaking - conflict resolution Key Concepts presence of mind flexibility indifference asrefinement emotional control Questions to Reflect On - How does facial composure affect trust? - When is flexibility more important than enthusiasm? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on stoicism can suppress genuine emotion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Enlargement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlargement/) [Enthusiasm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enthusiasm/) [Enthusiasm Indifference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enthusiasm-indifference-4223512/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Expression Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression-gentleman-4868645/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Flexibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flexibility/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentleman Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-face-4868644/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Indifference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indifference/) [Indifference Argues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indifference-argues-4868646/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Presence of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence-of-mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Refinement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refinement/) [Sensibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensibility/) ## Related quotes > [The gap between enthusiasm and indifference is filled with failures. The great man is he that does not lose his child's heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mencius/the-gap-between-enthusiasm-and-indifference-is-filled-with-failures/) [Mencius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mencius/) > [“I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/i-prefer-the-errors-of-enthusiasm-to-the-indifference-of-wisdom/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [I prefer the folly of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/i-prefer-the-folly-of-enthusiasm-to-the-indifference-of-wisdom/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [First, we believe that God is a being with a body in form like man's; that he possesses body, parts and passions; that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-roberts/first-we-believe-that-god-is-a-being-with-a-body-in-form-like-man-s/) [B. H. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-roberts/) > [We're strongly in favor of the U.N. plan for a solution to the Cyprus conflict. Hopefully a solution can be found before the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-fogh-rasmussen/we-re-strongly-in-favor-of-the-u-n-plan-for-a-solution-to-the-cyprus/) [Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-fogh-rasmussen/) > [To me history ought to be a source of pleasure. It isn't just part of our civic responsibility. To me it's an enlargement of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/to-me-history-ought-to-be-a-source-of-pleasure-it-isn-t-just-part-of-2/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) > [“It is one of the defects of modern higher education that it has become too much a training in the acquisition of certain kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/it-is-one-of-the-defects-of-modern-higher-education-that-it-has/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I then wrought at my trade as a tailor; carefully attended meetings for worship and discipline; and found an enlargement of gospel love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-woolman/i-then-wrought-at-my-trade-as-a-tailor-carefully-attended-meetings/) [John Woolman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-woolman/) > [The feeling of an evolution is a constant for every artist who is pursuing the search of refinement and enlargement of his/her own means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-bocelli/the-feeling-of-an-evolution-is-a-constant-for-every-artist-who-is/) [Andrea Bocelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-bocelli/) > [The only freedom worth possessing is that which gives enlargement to a people's energy, intellect, and virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/the-only-freedom-worth-possessing-is-that-which-gives-enlargement-to/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [Foreign policy can mean several things, not only foreign policy in the narrow sense. It can cover foreign policy, relations with the developing world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romano-prodi/foreign-policy-can-mean-several-things-not-only-foreign-policy-in-the/) [Romano Prodi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romano-prodi/) > [The love of God is like himself – equal, constant, not capable of augmentation or diminution; our love is like ourselves – unequal, increasing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/the-love-of-god-is-like-himself-equal-constant-not-capable-of/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [The Cape Town is considerably increased within the last eight years. Its respectability with regard to strength has kept pace with its other enlargements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bligh/the-cape-town-is-considerably-increased-within-the-last-eight-years/) [William Bligh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bligh/) > [Invention is nothing more than a fine deviation from, or enlargement on a fine model . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/invention-is-nothing-more-than-a-fine-deviation-from-or-enlargement/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Sooner or later a democracy which is to survive has to be able to rely upon that enlargement of vision and purpose of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ordway-tead/sooner-or-later-a-democracy-which-is-to-survive-has-to-be-able-to/) [Ordway Tead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ordway-tead/) ## More by William Hazlitt > [First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/first-impressions-are-often-the-truest-as-we-find-not-infrequently-to/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-art-of-life-is-to-know-how-to-enjoy-a-little-and-to-endure-very/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [We are thankful for good-will rather than for services, for the motive than the quantum of favor received.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/we-are-thankful-for-good-will-rather-than-for-services-for-the-motive/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The discussing the characters and foibles of common friends is a great sweetness and cement of friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-discussing-the-characters-and-foibles-of-common-friends-is-a/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Want of principle is power. Truth and honesty set a limit to our efforts, which impudence and hypocrisy easily overleap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/want-of-principle-is-power-truth-and-honesty-set-a-limit-to-our/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Repose is as necessary in conversation as in a picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/repose-is-as-necessary-in-conversation-as-in-a-picture/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [No act terminating in itself constitutes greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/no-act-terminating-in-itself-constitutes-greatness/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Vice is man's nature: virtue is a habit--or a mask.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/vice-is-man-s-nature-virtue-is-a-habit-or-a-mask/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [We never do anything well till we cease to think about the manner doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/we-never-do-anything-well-till-we-cease-to-think-about-the-manner/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/man-is-the-only-animal-that-laughs-and-weeps-for-he-is-the-only/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Those who have had none of the cares of this life to harass and disturb them, have been obliged to have recourse to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/those-who-have-had-none-of-the-cares-of-this-life-to-harass-and/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Poverty, when it is voluntary, is never despicable, but takes an heroical aspect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/poverty-when-it-is-voluntary-is-never-despicable-but-takes-an/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [We are not satisfied to be right, unless we can prove others to be quite wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/we-are-not-satisfied-to-be-right-unless-we-can-prove-others-to-be/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The world judge of men by their ability in their profession, and we judge of ourselves by the same test: for it is on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-world-judge-of-men-by-their-ability-in-their-profession-and-we/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The best part of our lives we pass in counting on what is to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-best-part-of-our-lives-we-pass-in-counting-on-what-is-to-come/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) [Explore all 671 William Hazlitt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'm a very serious person, but I don't take myself very seriously and I would rather laugh all day than argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/i-m-a-very-serious-person-but-i-don-t-take-myself-very-seriously-and/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There's crucial distinction that has to be drawn between the Shari'a, which is this hugely expansive vision of cosmic order that I've been describing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadakat-kadri/there-s-crucial-distinction-that-has-to-be-drawn-between-the-shari-a/) [Sadakat Kadri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadakat-kadri/) > [Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/only-fools-argue-whether-to-eat-meat-or-not-they-don-t-understand/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The surest sign that you haven't any sense is to argue with one who hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/the-surest-sign-that-you-haven-t-any-sense-is-to-argue-with-one-who/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) [Browse all 1,908 Arguing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The expression of a gentleman's face is not so much that of refinement, as of flexibility, not of sensibility and enthusiasm as of indifference; it argues presence of mind rather than enlargement of ideas.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Hazlitt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is-not-so-much-that-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arguing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is-not-so-much-that-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8f/william-hazlitt-326_arguing_the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is_2206593.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The expression of a gentleman's face is not so much that of refinement, as of flexibility, not of…” — William Hazlitt", "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": "William Hazlitt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The expression of a gentleman's face...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is-not-so-much-that-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-expression-of-a-gentleman-s-face-is-not-so-much-that-of/#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 } } ] } ```