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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker is amazed by how a smile can overcome negative emotions like anger or envy.
In plain terms
It is surprising how a smile can stop someone from being angry or jealous.
What can you take from it?
Nonverbal cues can override strong emotions.

Where it applies

  • disputes
  • social tension
  • personal relationships

Putting it to work

  • study emotional triggers
  • manage reactions

Questions to consider

  • What gives words power over others?
  • How do you react to genuine charm?

Another view

Smiles do not always resolve deep-seated anger.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. [He] smiled at once, his most winning and charming smile, and it worked as it always worked, suggesting as it did a sort of self-effacing humility, a believabl…

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  2. How does he do that?

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  3. False modesty is still false, no matter how charming it might seem

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