--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Jem’s eyes had widened, and then he’d…" description: "\"Jem’s eyes had widened, and then he’d laughed, a soft laugh. “Did you think I did not know you had a secret?” he’d said. “Did you think I walked into m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/cassandra-clare-9_break_jem-s-eyes-had-widened-and-then-he-d-lau_2033524.jpg" --- # Jem’s eyes had widened, and then he’d laughed, a soft… ![“Jem’s eyes had widened, and then he’d laughed, a soft laugh. “Did you think I did not know you had a secret?” he’d said. “Did you think I walked into my friendship with you with my eyes shut? I did not know the nature of the burden you carried. But I knew there was a burden.” He’d stood up. “I…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/cassandra-clare-9_break_jem-s-eyes-had-widened-and-then-he-d-lau_2033524.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/cassandra-clare-9_break_jem-s-eyes-had-widened-and-then-he-d-lau_2033524.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/cassandra-clare-9_break_jem-s-eyes-had-widened-and-then-he-d-lau_2033524.jpg) > “Jem’s eyes had widened, and then he’d laughed, a soft laugh. “Did you think I did not know you had a secret?” he’d said. “Did you think I walked into my friendship with you with my eyes shut? I did not know the nature of the burden you carried. But I knew there was a burden.” He’d stood up. “I knew you thought yourself poison to all those around you,” he’d added. “I knew you thought there to be some corruptive force about you that would break me. I meant to show you that I would not break, that love was not so fragile. Did I do that?” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character confronts another, revealing empathy and understanding of hidden struggles, emphasizing love’s resilience against self‑doubt. **In simple terms:** Understanding hidden pain strengthens love. Key Takeaway Show empathy and stay resilient. Themes empathy love self‑doubt resilience Mood reflective hopeful Type literary conversational When to use this quote - friendship conflict - confession - supportive dialogue Key Concepts burden identity trust Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize unseen burdens? - What does it mean to love without breaking? A Different Perspective May overlook personal boundaries while trying to help. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Jem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jem/) [Poison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poison/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Will’s eyes met Tessa’s as she came closer, almost tripping again over the torn hem of her gown. For a moment, they were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-s-eyes-met-tessa-s-as-she-came-closer-almost-tripping-again-over/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [It's Will who ought to be sorry." Jem's eyes darkened. "We shall throw him out onto the streets," he proclaimed. "I promise you he'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-will-who-ought-to-be-sorry-jem-s-eyes-darkened-we-shall-throw/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must you go? I was rather hoping you'd stay and be a ministering angel, but if you must go, you must." "I'll stay," Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-you-go-i-was-rather-hoping-you-d-stay-and-be-a-ministering-angel/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Will rose slowly to his feet. He could not believe he was doing what he was doing, but it was clear that he was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-rose-slowly-to-his-feet-he-could-not-believe-he-was-doing-what/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Jem gave her a wistful look. “Must you go? I was rather hoping that you’d stay and be a ministering angel, but if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jem-gave-her-a-wistful-look-must-you-go-i-was-rather-hoping-that-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Thinking can push you to do or say things that are destructive, or it can create a lot of love. Every thought will bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/thinking-can-push-you-to-do-or-say-things-that-are-destructive-or-it/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“She knew that she had become a burden to him: she took things too seriously, turning everything into a tragedy, and failed to grasp…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/she-knew-that-she-had-become-a-burden-to-him-she-took-things-too/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“A secret,” he said. “A secret is the heaviest thing in the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/a-secret-he-said-a-secret-is-the-heaviest-thing-in-the-world/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [“The hardest rule for me to keep at Onsite wasn’t about computers or cell phones. It was that we couldn’t tell people what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/the-hardest-rule-for-me-to-keep-at-onsite-wasn-t-about-computers-or/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [This is my secret," he said. "I don't mind what happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/this-is-my-secret-he-said-i-don-t-mind-what-happens/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“The secret is," said Phoebe, smiling, "that I have learned how to talk with hens and chickens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/the-secret-is-said-phoebe-smiling-that-i-have-learned-how-to-talk/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [“Jerry thought about what a letter of recommendation from a council of wizards would look like in his resume file. "Totally secret," he said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-cook/jerry-thought-about-what-a-letter-of-recommendation-from-a-council-of/) [Rick Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-cook/) > [“Tell me your deepest secret," she said softly... After a long moment, he spoke. "The only secret I've borne my entire life is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/tell-me-your-deepest-secret-she-said-softly-after-a-long-moment-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“...As we locked the front door behind us, she said, "How do you keep getting in without my knowing it? Did Jill give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/as-we-locked-the-front-door-behind-us-she-said-how-do-you-keep/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“The problem I have telling my secret', said Eldric, 'is that it's a secret.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/the-problem-i-have-telling-my-secret-said-eldric-is-that-it-s-a-secret/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Break quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [Things are going well in Germany because the economy is booming and as an export-driven nation, we are profiting from the fact that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/things-are-going-well-in-germany-because-the-economy-is-booming-and/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [There were songs that we cut out after we chose the name, because 'Praise Break' turned out to be an underlying concept that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-caesar/there-were-songs-that-we-cut-out-after-we-chose-the-name-because/) [Daniel Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-caesar/) > [“He didn't break my heart. No one can break your heart except you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/he-didn-t-break-my-heart-no-one-can-break-your-heart-except-you/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [“She couldn't break the orbit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-schwab/she-couldn-t-break-the-orbit/) [Victoria Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-schwab/) > [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I hadn't worked for a year when I had my Prison Break audition and it was the easiest audition I've ever had. I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/i-hadn-t-worked-for-a-year-when-i-had-my-prison-break-audition-and-it/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [If you strike upon a thought that baffles you, break off from that entanglement and try another, so shall your wits be fresh to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/if-you-strike-upon-a-thought-that-baffles-you-break-off-from-that/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [“A hole ain’t nothing either, but you can still break your neck in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-donati/a-hole-ain-t-nothing-either-but-you-can-still-break-your-neck-in-it/) [Sara Donati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-donati/) > [“I break things, a lot of things, but I don’t want one of them to be you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/i-break-things-a-lot-of-things-but-i-don-t-want-one-of-them-to-be-you/) [Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/) > [Motor racing's less of a sport these days than a commercial break doing 150 mph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dunne/motor-racing-s-less-of-a-sport-these-days-than-a-commercial-break/) Peter Dunne > [Much like teaching art to young art students age 10 to 15 or so on, you have to break it down into bite-sized pieces,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/much-like-teaching-art-to-young-art-students-age-10-to-15-or-so-on/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [The purpose is to be in gratitude forever. Live with applied consciousness, prosperity will break through the walls, flood you with it. You do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh-yogi/the-purpose-is-to-be-in-gratitude-forever-live-with-applied/) [Harbhajan Singh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh-yogi/) > [Never break another man's rice bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akio-morita/never-break-another-man-s-rice-bowl/) [Akio Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akio-morita/) Browse all 8,188 Break quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Jem’s eyes had widened, and then he’d laughed, a soft laugh. “Did you think I did not know you had a secret?” he’d said. “Did you think I walked into my friendship with you with my eyes shut? I did not know the nature of the burden you carried. But I knew there was a burden.” He’d stood up. “I knew you thought yourself poison to all those around you,” he’d added. “I knew you thought there to be some corruptive force about you that would break me. I meant to show you that I would not break, that love was not so fragile. 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