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About this quote

What does it mean?
A woman hides her intense inner turmoil and rage behind a calm exterior while obsessing over her lover.
In plain terms
She looks calm outside but is full of strong feelings inside.
What can you take from it?
People often hide their deepest emotions behind a quiet face.

Where it applies

  • secret love
  • holding back anger
  • social pressure

Putting it to work

  • recognizing hidden feelings
  • managing stress

Questions to consider

  • What emotions are you hiding?
  • Why do you feel you must hide them?

Another view

Not everyone who is quiet is hiding turmoil.

More from Gustave Flaubert

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  2. What exasperated her was Charles's total unawareness of her ordeal. His conviction that he was making her happy she took as a stupid insult: such self-righteou…

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  3. Had they nothing more to say to each other? Their eyes, certainly, were full of more meaningful talk; and as they made themselves utter banalities they sensed …

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