Quotes from book
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals is Charles Darwin's third major work of evolutionary theory, following On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man . Initially intended as a chapter in The Descent of Man, The Expression was published separately in 1872 and concerns the biological aspects of emotional life. In this book, Darwin explores the animal origins of such human characteristics as the lifting of the eyebrows in moments of surprise and the mental confusion which typically accompanies blushing. A German translation of The Expression appeared in 1872; Dutch and French versions followed in 1873 and 1874. A second edition of the book, with only minor alterations, was published in 1890. Since its first publication, The Expression has never been out of print, but it has also been described as "Darwin's forgotten masterpiece".


Charles Darwin photo

“It is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance.”

Charles Darwin book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Source: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Charles Darwin photo

“Blushing is the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.”

Charles Darwin book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Source: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Charles Darwin photo

“Through the principle of associated habit, the same movements of the face and eyes are practised, and can, indeed, hardly be avoided, whenever we know or believe that others are blaming, or too strongly praising, our moral conduct.”

Charles Darwin book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Source: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), chapter XIII: "Self-attention — Shame — Shyness — Modesty: Blushing", page 347 http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?pageseq=375&itemID=F1142&viewtype=image

Charles Darwin photo

“[T]he young and the old of widely different races, both with man and animals, express the same state of mind by the same movements.”

Charles Darwin book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Source: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), chapter XIV: "Concluding Remarks and Summary", page 352 http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?pageseq=380&itemID=F1142&viewtype=image

Charles Darwin photo

“Even insects express anger, terror, jealousy, and love by their stridulation.”

Charles Darwin book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Source: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), chapter XIV: "Concluding Remarks and Summary", page 350

Similar authors

Charles Darwin photo
Charles Darwin161
British naturalist, author of "On the origin of species, by… 1809–1882
Henry David Thoreau photo
Henry David Thoreau385
1817-1862 American poet, essayist, naturalist, and abolitio… None
Joseph Conrad photo
Joseph Conrad127
Polish-British writer None
Robert Southey photo
Robert Southey51
British poet None
Charles Baudelaire photo
Charles Baudelaire133
French poet None
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel photo
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel106
German philosopher None
Guy De Maupassant photo
Guy De Maupassant59
French writer None
Theodore Roosevelt photo
Theodore Roosevelt445
American politician, 26th president of the United States None
Charles Spurgeon photo
Charles Spurgeon49
British preacher, author, pastor and evangelist None