Hi Rtibob,
I believe what you mean to say is "Eyes are the windows to a man's
soul". This saying is a modified form adapted from the mid sixteenth
century English proverb***, "the eyes are the window of the soul."
Like many age-old sayings, the author is unknown. It is an
interpretation derived from the Holy Bible in Proverbs 30:17 which
says, "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his
mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young
eagles shall eat it." Proverbs 30:17 is about showing disrespect to
one's parents, which is usually manifested through physical gestures
or facial expressions. Here are some good explanations:
"The use of "eye" is a synecdoche for facial expressions, but
especially the looks and attitudes. He means more than just the muscle
and mucous membrane that resides in one of your sockets. For no
eyeball shows disdain for authority without the heart directing it. If
the eye is the window to the soul, there had better never be
irreverence seen through it."
(Excerpted from LetGodBeTrue.com -
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/Proverbs/30_17.htm )
"The Lord hates a "proud look." It has been said that "the eyes are
the window of the soul." "A proud look" indicates a heart that is
corrupt with pride. This is one who "sticks his nose in the air,"
feeling superior to others. Being of a "proud look" will cause one to
have racial, financial, or social prejudice. It is much like the
Pharisee who said, "I thank thee, that I am not as other men ..." (Lk.
18:11). God's view toward those of "a proud look" is also seen in
other parts of Scripture. For example, "Cast abroad the rage of thy
wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on
every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked
in their place" (Job 40:11-12), "Whoso privily slandereth his
neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud
heart will not I suffer" (Psa. 101:5), and "pride goeth before
destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Pro. 16:18). In the
New Testament we are informed that we are to "be of the same mind one
toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low
estate. Be not wise in your own conceits" (Rom. 12:16) and "we dare
not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that
commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and
comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Cor. 10:12).
May a "proud look" never be known among us!"
(Excerpted from Seven Things the Lord Hates by By Tom Moore, Port
Lavaca Church of Christ - http://www.tisd.net/~plcofc/seventhings.htm
)
In layman's term, "eye" is just a figure of speech. It should not be
taken literally as "the" eye itself. As mentioned earlier, it
symbolizes our facial expression, gestures, attitudes towards our
fellow human -- not necessarilly to our parents only. Isn't it true
that when we show our love for someone, our eyes seem to smile and
twinkle? Likewise, when we show disdain or anger, our eyes seem to
literally shout "I hate you!" Sometimes there are situations when,
even though we smile and politely conversese with somebody whom we
secretly hate, our actions show the opposite and we can't help it but
act like a lout.
Sources:
***Oxford English Dictionary of Quotations
***Famous-Proverbs.com
"16th Century English Proverbs"
http://www.famous-proverbs.com/16th_Century_Proverbs.htm
Here are some sites I found that has this saying:
The Spirit of Jezebel by George Kirkpatrick
"When Jezebel was told Jehu was on his way, and of his intended
purpose, she painted her face. This has the meaning of painting the
eyes. We are informed the eyes are the window of the soul. Jezebel
painted her eyes to conceal the wickedness in her soul. Painting the
eyes also has the meaning "to allure, to look more appealing". Even
though wickedness dwelt deep within her heart, Jezebel wanted Jehu to
only see her outward appearance of righteousness."
http://www.newfoundationspubl.org/jezebel.htm
Random Reflections With Brian
"They say that the eyes are the windows of a man's soul. So through
the window flutters the strands of God's blessed gifts of wisdom. I
delight as my soul is encompassed, wrapped about by the sacred strands
of wisdom. I am illuminated, enlightened by His gracious gifts of
goodness. Oh, to share, to release these strands for others to enjoy,
for others to delight and bask in the wonderful heaven-dust of God's
mind. My fragil, impoverished, mortal frame can not contain, sustain
such knowledge for it is truely to wonderful for me. I am the
offering, I sacrifice, I offer to you my friend a bit of God's beam
upon me to you."
http://www.geocities.com/oneday_341/randomness417.html
Ringside, Inc.
"They say that the eyes are the window to a man's soul, but when that
saying is translated to boxing, a world title shows us the true
measure of a man."
http://www.ringside.com/archives/the_ringside_seat/power.htm
In case you want to see more, just click on the following links below.
Search strategy:
"eyes are the window of the soul" proverbs - in Google Web search
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=%22eyes+are+the+window+of+the+soul%22+proverbs
"eyes are the windows to a man's soul" - in Google Web search
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=%22eyes+are+the+windows+to+a+man%27s+soul%22&btnG=Google+Search
"eyes are the window to a man's soul" - in Google Web search
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=%22eyes+are+the+window+to+a+man%27s+soul%22&btnG=Google+Search
"eyes are the windows of a man's soul" - in Google Web search
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=%22eyes+are+the+windows+of+a+man%27s+soul%22
I hope this helps you. Should you have any comments/questions, please
feel free to post your clarification before rating this and I'll
attend to you as soon as possible. Thanks for asking.
Best regards,
Feilong |
