--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Shame on those breasts of stone that…" description: "\"Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt in soft adoption of another's sorrow.\" — Aaron Hill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png" --- # Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt in soft… ![“Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt in soft adoption of another's sorrow.” quote by Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png) > “Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt in soft adoption of another's sorrow.” [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rigid, unfeeling attitudes prevent empathy and connection; softness and compassion are needed. **In simple terms:** Stone‑heartedness blocks empathy. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion. Themes empathy vulnerability humanity Mood thoughtful empathetic Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal growth - parenting - community building Key Concepts psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you soften a hardened stance? - What does “soft adoption” mean to you? A Different Perspective Compassion may be seen as weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adoption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adoption/) [Adoption Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adoption-sorrow-920448/) [Breasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breasts/) [Breasts Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breasts-stone-920449/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Shame Breasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame-breasts-920447/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/) ## Related quotes > [“One of the main functions of a push-up bra is to lower the number of mothers who seem like mothers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/one-of-the-main-functions-of-a-push-up-bra-is-to-lower-the-number-of/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [With all the chaos, pain and suffering in the world, the fact that my adoption of a child from who was living in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/with-all-the-chaos-pain-and-suffering-in-the-world-the-fact-that-my/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Every great movement must experience three stages: ridicule, discussion, adoption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/every-great-movement-must-experience-three-stages-ridicule-discussion/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [As we grew to love South Australia, we felt that we were in an expanding society, still feeling the bond to the motherland, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-helen-spence/as-we-grew-to-love-south-australia-we-felt-that-we-were-in-an/) [Catherine Helen Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-helen-spence/) > [“Yes, I see why we endured infertility and a lengthy adoption process now, but I don’t know all the reasons for all the struggles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-wells/yes-i-see-why-we-endured-infertility-and-a-lengthy-adoption-process/) [Ashley Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-wells/) > [I've never been keen on open adoption. It doesn't seem to solve the main problem with adoption, which is that somebody feels she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-ve-never-been-keen-on-open-adoption-it-doesn-t-seem-to-solve-the/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“I love Russia because Russia gave me you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-simmons/i-love-russia-because-russia-gave-me-you/) [John M. Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-simmons/) > [Some women just skip having babies or adopt because they don't want to get fat or they haven't put in the time to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-pressly/some-women-just-skip-having-babies-or-adopt-because-they-don-t-want/) [Jaime Pressly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-pressly/) > [“Some adventures should never be repeated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-l-hopper/some-adventures-should-never-be-repeated/) [Mike L. Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-l-hopper/) > [Despite the reams of paperwork, obstacles worthy of a horse show, and a wait that can rival an elephant's gestation, adoption feels no different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-simon/despite-the-reams-of-paperwork-obstacles-worthy-of-a-horse-show-and-a/) [Scott Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-simon/) > [I have a lot of respect for my birth mother I know she must have had a lot of love for me to want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hill/i-have-a-lot-of-respect-for-my-birth-mother-i-know-she-must-have-had/) [Faith Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hill/) > [Somehow destiny comes into play. These children end up with you and you end up with them. It's something quite magical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/somehow-destiny-comes-into-play-these-children-end-up-with-you-and/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) ## More by Aaron Hill > [Servile doubt argues an impotence of mind, that says we fear because we dare not meet misfortunes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/servile-doubt-argues-an-impotence-of-mind-that-says-we-fear-because/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Mischief and malice grow on the same branch of the tree of evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/mischief-and-malice-grow-on-the-same-branch-of-the-tree-of-evil/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Reason gains all people by compelling none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/reason-gains-all-people-by-compelling-none/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [The man with but one idea in his head is sure to exaggerate that to top-heaviness, and thus he loses his equilibrium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/the-man-with-but-one-idea-in-his-head-is-sure-to-exaggerate-that-to/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [She who means no mischief does it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/she-who-means-no-mischief-does-it-all/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Order, thou eye of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/order-thou-eye-of-action/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [There is no merit where there is no trial; and till experience stamps the mark of strength, cowards may pass for heroes, and faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/there-is-no-merit-where-there-is-no-trial-and-till-experience-stamps/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [What position didn't I play last season?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/what-position-didn-t-i-play-last-season/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Shun fear, it is the ague of the soul! a passion man created for himself--for sure that cramp of nature could not dwell in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/shun-fear-it-is-the-ague-of-the-soul-a-passion-man-created-for/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [First, then, a woman will, or won't, - depend on't; If she will do't, she will; and there's an end on't. But, if she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/first-then-a-woman-will-or-won-t-depend-on-t-if-she-will-do-t-she/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Man is the circled oak; woman the ivy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/man-is-the-circled-oak-woman-the-ivy/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Trust me--with women worth the being won, The softest lover ever best succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/trust-me-with-women-worth-the-being-won-the-softest-lover-ever-best/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Deceit is the false road to happiness; and all the joys we travel through to vice, like fairy banquets, vanish when we touch them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/deceit-is-the-false-road-to-happiness-and-all-the-joys-we-travel/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you for your pains; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/tender-handed-stroke-a-nettle-and-it-stings-you-for-your-pains-grasp-2/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) > [When Christ at Cana's feast by pow'r divine, Inspir'd cold water, with the warmth of wine, See! cry'd they while, in red'ning tide, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/when-christ-at-cana-s-feast-by-pow-r-divine-inspir-d-cold-water-with/) [Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) [Explore all 32 Aaron Hill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/) ## More Adoption quotes > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [Somehow destiny comes into play. These children end up with you and you end up with them. It's something quite magical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/somehow-destiny-comes-into-play-these-children-end-up-with-you-and/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [I have a lot of respect for my birth mother I know she must have had a lot of love for me to want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hill/i-have-a-lot-of-respect-for-my-birth-mother-i-know-she-must-have-had/) [Faith Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hill/) > [Despite the reams of paperwork, obstacles worthy of a horse show, and a wait that can rival an elephant's gestation, adoption feels no different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-simon/despite-the-reams-of-paperwork-obstacles-worthy-of-a-horse-show-and-a/) [Scott Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-simon/) > [“Some adventures should never be repeated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-l-hopper/some-adventures-should-never-be-repeated/) [Mike L. Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-l-hopper/) > [Some women just skip having babies or adopt because they don't want to get fat or they haven't put in the time to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-pressly/some-women-just-skip-having-babies-or-adopt-because-they-don-t-want/) [Jaime Pressly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-pressly/) > [“I love Russia because Russia gave me you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-simmons/i-love-russia-because-russia-gave-me-you/) [John M. Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-simmons/) > [I've never been keen on open adoption. It doesn't seem to solve the main problem with adoption, which is that somebody feels she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-ve-never-been-keen-on-open-adoption-it-doesn-t-seem-to-solve-the/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“Yes, I see why we endured infertility and a lengthy adoption process now, but I don’t know all the reasons for all the struggles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-wells/yes-i-see-why-we-endured-infertility-and-a-lengthy-adoption-process/) [Ashley Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-wells/) > [As we grew to love South Australia, we felt that we were in an expanding society, still feeling the bond to the motherland, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-helen-spence/as-we-grew-to-love-south-australia-we-felt-that-we-were-in-an/) [Catherine Helen Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-helen-spence/) > [Every great movement must experience three stages: ridicule, discussion, adoption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/every-great-movement-must-experience-three-stages-ridicule-discussion/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [With all the chaos, pain and suffering in the world, the fact that my adoption of a child from who was living in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/with-all-the-chaos-pain-and-suffering-in-the-world-the-fact-that-my/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [“The Friends Thou Hast And Their Adoption Tried Grapple Them To Thy Soul With Hooks Of Steel”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-friends-thou-hast-and-their-adoption-tried-grapple-them-to-thy-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Browse all 560 Adoption quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adoption/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt in soft adoption of another's sorrow.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aaron Hill" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-cannot-melt-in-soft-adoption-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adoption" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-cannot-melt-in-soft-adoption-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/aaron-hill-19523_adoption_shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-can_1677287.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt in soft adoption of another's sorrow.” — Aaron Hill", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aaron Hill", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Shame on those breasts of stone...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-cannot-melt-in-soft-adoption-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/shame-on-those-breasts-of-stone-that-cannot-melt-in-soft-adoption-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```