Some women flirt more with what they say, and some with what they

In the playful yet perceptive words of Anna Held, the legendary performer of the Belle Époque, we find a truth both delicate and profound: “Some women flirt more with what they say, and some with what they do.” At first glance, it appears as a remark on charm, a witticism fit for salons and laughter. Yet beneath its sparkle lies an understanding of human nature, of the subtle art of expression, and of the many languages through which the soul speaks. It is a reflection not only on women, but on the ways all hearts reveal themselves—sometimes through words, sometimes through actions, always through presence.

To flirt, as Anna Held knew, was not simply to entice. It was to communicate the unspoken—to play upon the strings of affection, curiosity, and imagination. In her time, Held was not only a singer and actress but a symbol of feminine allure, celebrated for her wit as much as her beauty. When she spoke of women who flirt “with what they say” and others “with what they do,” she was describing two paths of influence: the intellectual and the embodied, the charm of language and the power of gesture. For some souls, words are the wings of their allure; for others, it is the grace of movement, the glance, the silent smile that speaks louder than speech.

The ancients, too, understood this duality. The philosopher Socrates once said that speech is but “the reflection of the soul,” while the poet Sappho showed through her verses that silence can be equally eloquent. Some persuade through reason, others through presence. There are those who weave enchantment with phrases—whose wit and laughter light up the air—and those whose power lies in stillness, whose gestures, like ripples on calm water, draw the heart inward. Held, in her wisdom as an artist, recognized that both are forms of communication, both expressions of the mysterious dance between minds and hearts.

Yet beyond flirtation, her words speak to a deeper truth about individual essence. Each person reveals their nature differently. Some are fire, expressive and bright, showing their warmth through words, ideas, and wit. Others are water, flowing quietly yet shaping everything they touch. To understand this is to understand harmony in relationships, for not all affection is spoken aloud, and not all sincerity is proclaimed. Some love through speech; others through the simple act of being. Anna Held’s insight reminds us to listen not only to words but to the subtle movements of the spirit—the pauses, the gestures, the deeds that whisper love without language.

Consider the tale of Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, whose charm has echoed through centuries. She spoke with the eloquence of philosophers and moved with the grace of goddesses. Her flirtation was not a mere game—it was artistry, a balance of intellect and physical presence. To Julius Caesar, she was persuasion in word; to Mark Antony, she was persuasion in touch and presence. Her power lay not in seduction alone, but in awareness—the understanding that influence flows through both thought and action. So too did Anna Held grasp this truth: that the secret of attraction, of human connection itself, lies in knowing one’s nature and expressing it fully.

Her words also carry a lesson about authenticity. To flirt, in its purest sense, is to be alive to one’s vitality—to allow one’s light to shine, not deceitfully, but joyfully. Those who charm with words must ensure that their speech reflects sincerity, not manipulation. Those who charm through action must remember that grace without integrity fades quickly. The ancient Greeks prized the virtue of kalokagathia—the harmony of inner goodness and outer beauty. So too must our expressions of self, whether verbal or physical, arise from truth within. Only then does allure become art, not artifice.

The lesson, then, is not about flirting but about expression. Learn the language through which your soul speaks most clearly—whether through word, deed, silence, or gesture—and let it shine with honesty. Do not envy the fire of those whose wit dazzles, nor dismiss the quiet strength of those who move without speaking. The world needs both—the talkers who kindle thought and the doers who embody grace. When word and action align, when what one says and what one does move in harmony, there lies the highest form of beauty—the beauty of truth made visible.

So, dear listener, remember the wisdom of Anna Held: some charm through speech, others through motion—but both speak the language of life itself. Seek not to imitate, but to understand your own rhythm, your own art of connection. Let your words be sincere, your actions graceful, and your spirit luminous. For in the balance between what is said and what is done, between thought and movement, lies not only the secret of attraction—but the secret of being fully, vibrantly human.