How to Read “You can tell by the eyes whether it will work out or not”
Naru ka naranu ka memoto de shireru
Meaning of “You can tell by the eyes whether it will work out or not”
This proverb teaches that you can generally tell whether someone will agree or refuse by looking at their eyes. People may use polite phrases or avoid giving immediate answers with their words, but their true feelings often show in their eyes.
In situations involving requests or negotiations, someone might say “I’ll think about it,” but if their eyes are darting around or avoiding your gaze, that might signal a refusal. On the other hand, if their eyes look directly at you and the corners soften, you can judge that acceptance is likely.
This proverb is used to convey the importance of reading non-verbal signals rather than relying only on words. Even today, during business negotiations or when making requests, people say “You can tell by the eyes whether it will work out or not” to emphasize the value of observation skills.
Origin and Etymology
The exact first appearance of this proverb in written records is unclear, but it was likely already in use among people during the Edo period. Japan has long had expressions like “the eyes speak as much as the mouth,” showing a deep-rooted culture of reading people’s hearts through their eyes.
The phrase “whether it will work out or not” is particularly noteworthy. It refers to binary situations in negotiations or requests where someone will either agree or refuse. In Edo period merchant culture, the ability to judge the success or failure of transactions was highly valued. Even when words said “I’ll consider it,” true intentions showed in the eyes.
The part “you can tell by the eyes” reflects the sharp observational skills unique to Japanese non-verbal communication. The eyes are considered the part of the body where emotions appear most easily. Feelings of joy, confusion, or rejection show through pupil movement and tension around the eyes.
Because Japan had a culture of distinguishing between tatemae (public face) and honne (true feelings), techniques for reading true intentions from non-verbal information developed. This proverb has been passed down through generations as ancestral wisdom about the importance of insight in human relationships.
Interesting Facts
Human eyes are considered the hardest part of the body to hide emotions with. According to psychological research, when people lie or say something different from their true feelings, they unconsciously blink more often or their gaze becomes unstable.
This happens due to the autonomic nervous system and is difficult to control consciously.
Edo period merchants refined eye observation as part of a skill called “mekiki” (discernment). Just like mekiki for distinguishing genuine from fake products, mekiki for reading people’s hearts was considered an essential skill for successful merchants.
Usage Examples
- After the presentation, I watched the department head’s reaction, and you can tell by the eyes whether it will work out or not—I immediately knew it would be rejected
- When I asked her on a date, you can tell by the eyes whether it will work out or not, and since her eyes were smiling, I was confident there was a chance
Universal Wisdom
Humans are creatures who manipulate words, but at the same time, our bodies are honest creatures. This proverb has been passed down through generations because it brilliantly captures this duality of human nature.
In social life, we sometimes need to hide our true feelings. To avoid hurting others, to maintain smooth relationships, or to protect our own position, we choose our words and soften our expressions.
However, no matter how much we dress up our words, the small area around our eyes tells the truth. This is a fundamental human contradiction and also a kind of beauty.
Why the eyes? Because the eyes are directly connected to the heart, which is the source of emotions. When we feel joy, our eyes shine. When we feel anxiety, our eyes waver. When we feel rejection, our eyes look away. This is a universal human characteristic that transcends culture and time.
This proverb teaches the importance of not just surface communication, but the attitude of trying to understand the truth deep in someone’s heart. True understanding between people begins with reading the emotions beyond words.
Our ancestors condensed this essence of human understanding into the simple phrase “You can tell by the eyes whether it will work out or not.”
When AI Hears This
Human decision-making happens before the moment when people think they’ve “decided.” According to neuroscientist Damasio’s somatic marker hypothesis, the “feeling of success” or “feeling of failure” learned from past experiences appears first as subtle bodily reactions.
The area around the eyes has 42 muscles, and microexpressions that cannot be consciously controlled appear in an instant of 0.2 seconds.
What’s interesting is the time lag where bodily reactions precede consciousness. In experiments, the frontal lobe and amygdala start activity about 0.5 seconds before subjects feel “I’ve decided on this.”
In other words, when judging whether something will succeed, the unconscious brain first searches its database of past experiences and sends out the results as bodily signals. The judgment results appear in changes like muscle tension around the eyes, subtle pupil dilation, and blinking frequency.
What’s remarkable about this proverb is that in an era without scientific instruments, people saw through the bodily truth that “results can be predicted by observing the eyes.” We think we’re deciding for ourselves, but actually our bodies already know the answer, and it leaks out in the eyes—the hardest place to hide.
Lessons for Today
In modern society, text-only communication through email and chat has increased. However, this proverb reminds us of the value of face-to-face communication. Important requests and negotiations should be done in person whenever possible.
When you ask someone for something, pay attention not just to their words but also to their eye expressions. Are they truly agreeing, or are they giving vague responses because they find it hard to refuse? Their eyes will tell you.
By understanding their true feelings, you can avoid forcing them, make alternative suggestions, and build better relationships.
At the same time, this proverb is a lesson for yourself. When someone makes a request of you, are you confusing them with an ambiguous attitude? If you’re refusing, refuse. If you’re accepting, accept. Showing sincere attitude including your eyes is thoughtfulness toward others.
Honest communication where words and expressions match is the foundation of trust.
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