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The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them - words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out. But it's more than that, isn't it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller, but for want of an understanding ear.

Stephen King#73

CommunicationFeelingsShameVulnerability

About this quote

What does it mean?
Important feelings are hard to express because words limit them and risking misunderstanding.
In plain terms
Deep feelings are hard to say.
What can you take from it?
True feelings risk being misunderstood.

Where it applies

  • deep conversation
  • grief
  • love

Putting it to work

  • speak anyway
  • find listeners
  • accept risk

Questions to consider

  • What can you not say?
  • Why are some things hard to share?

Another view

Sometimes words can capture feelings well.

More from Stephen King

  1. Go then; there are other worlds than these.

    Permalink to quote #72
  2. Either get busy living or get busy dying

    Permalink to quote #74
  3. Ka is a wheel.

    Permalink to quote #71

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