The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul: Meaning, Origin and Usage

‘The eyes are the windows to the soul’ is such a poignant and profound statement. And it’s quite rare that such an ancient phrase continues to be used in modern day.

Let me tell you more. I’ll cover the meaning, where the phrase is believed to have originated from, and I’ll give you a glimpse into several different instances it could be used in. And to top it off, I’ll throw in some alternative phrases you can use instead if you prefer.

What is the Meaning of the Phrase ‘The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul’?

The eyes will show you how a person is feeling, or even what they might be thinking.

Most of our emotional expression is in your facial expression, especially around the eyes (and in our body language in general). People can look into someone’s eyes and know immediately how they are feeling and whether they may be lying.

Someone’s eyes will tell us far more than their words do, especially the emotions behind the content being said.

What is the Origin of the Phrase ‘The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul’?

The phrase has its roots in ancient Roman times from a very similar phrase from the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, who said ‘The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter.’ It describes how analysis of someone’s eyes is a window to their mind and what they might be thinking.

A similar phrase has also been quoted in the Christian bible by Matthew the Apostle, who wrote ‘The eye is the lamp of the body’ in Matthew 6:22-23.

The precise phrase ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’ is most frequently attributed to the most famous English wordsmith, William Shakespeare in the 1500s and 1600s. The full quote is as follows:

“The eyes are the window to your soul, or was it just an illusion, his version of what was, is or could be, conception of a thought brought into reality by the wandering of the ever-restless mind of William.”

However, there are those who’d have you believe that the phrase has an even earlier introduction in the English language, saying that the shorter phrase is also thought to have come from the pen of polymath, renaissance man, artist, and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci who lived in the 1400s going into the 1500s.

How do you Use the Phrase ‘The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul’? 

Here are a few examples of the phrase in use. This will help you get a gist of when the phrase can be used.

‘I can see you’re lying, you know – the eyes are the windows to the soul.’

‘The artist focused on the eyes, believing the eyes are the window to the soul.’

‘It was love at first sight. You know they say the eyes are the windows to the soul.’

‘I knew exactly what she was going to say before she even uttered a word. The eyes are the windows to the soul after all.’

‘You can’t fool me with your lies and your fake words. The eyes are the windows to the soul.’

‘In your eyes, the window to your soul, I find peace.’

‘I feel your sincerity – the eyes are the windows to the soul.’

‘Your eyes give you away – they are the windows to your soul after all.’

What are Some Other Ways of Saying ‘‘The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul’?

If you are considering using this phrase with someone from another culture, please be careful because individuals from different cultures weigh cues in the eyes and mouth differently.

Here are some alternative phrases with a similar meaning:

• ‘You can run, but you can’t hide.’
• ‘The truth will out’
• ‘The truth will come out in the end.’
• ‘A picture paints a thousand words.’
• ‘Expressive eyes.’
• ‘Can you even look me in the eye?’
• ‘The eyes are the mirrors of the soul.’
• ‘Let’s pretend the eyes are not the windows to the soul.’
• ‘Your eyes tell me all I need to know.’

Final Thoughts

So to sum up, the phrase ‘The eyes are the windows to the soul’ simply describes how telling someone’s eyes can be when they express emotion. By looking into someone’s eyes, you can ascertain what they are thinking and feeling. It’s like seeing into their mind, and it gives away their truth better than their words ever could.

While the phrase may have originated from Ancient Rome, it has also been used by the likes of the chief English wordsmith, the beloved William Shakespeare, and possibly by Leonardo Da Vinci as well. And it rings as true now as it did so long ago.