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They are secret things. Women are supposed to be the ones good at keeping secrets, and I guess they do keep a few, but any woman who knows anything at all would tell you she's never really seen into any man's heart. The soil of a man's heart is stonier, Louis - like the soil up there in the old Micmac burying ground. Bedrock's close. A man grows what he can... and he tends it.

Stephen King#85

RelationshipsEmotionsGenderUnderstanding

About this quote

What does it mean?
Men's emotions are often hidden and hard to understand, growing slowly like plants in rocky soil.
In plain terms
Men hide their feelings and are hard to know deeply.
What can you take from it?
Understanding others requires patience because people guard their inner lives.

Where it applies

  • understanding a partner
  • building intimacy
  • navigating conflict

Putting it to work

  • be patient with others
  • ask open questions
  • respect boundaries

Questions to consider

  • How well do you know your partner's heart?
  • Do you guard your own feelings?

Another view

This view generalizes men and may not apply to everyone.

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