Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
True feeling flows deep beneath the surface of what we say, think, or feel consciously.
In plain terms
Real feelings are hidden deep inside, not on the surface.
What can you take from it?
Look beyond surface thoughts to find true feelings.

Where it applies

  • introspection
  • therapy
  • writing

Putting it to work

  • reflect deeply
  • listen to intuition

Questions to consider

  • What do you feel deep down?
  • How well do you know yourself?

Another view

Surface expressions can sometimes be the only reliable signal of feeling.

More from Matthew Arnold

  1. The power of the Latin classic is in character, that of the Greek is in beauty. Now character is capable of being taught, learnt, and assimilated: beauty hardl…

    Permalink to quote #37
  2. Conduct is three-fourths of our life and its largest concern.

    Permalink to quote #39
  3. The Celts certainly have it [style] in a wonderful measure.

    Permalink to quote #36

Related quotes

  1. I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out.

    Bill HicksBill Hicks quote #99
  2. The whole idea of interviews is in itself absurd - one cannot answer deep questions about what one's life was like - one writes novels about it.

    Anthony PowellAnthony Powell quote #1
  3. It is terrible to destroy a person's picture of himself in the interests of truth or some other abstraction.

    Doris LessingDoris Lessing quote #1