---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But of course I know that relationships…"
description: "\"“But of course I know that relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight. It's a thousand blows delivered over time--uppercuts, jabs, crosses-..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg"
---

#  But of course I know that relationships don't dissolve…

![“But of course I know that relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight. It's a thousand blows delivered over time--uppercuts, jabs, crosses--some you barely even feel. And then before you know it, you're on the ground seeing stars and wondering what the hell happened.” quote by Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg)

> ““But of course I know that relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight. It's a thousand blows delivered over time--uppercuts, jabs, crosses--some you barely even feel. And then before you know it, you're on the ground seeing stars and wondering what the hell happened.””

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Relationships erode gradually through many small hurts, not just single dramatic events.

**In simple terms:** Relationships break down from many minor blows over time.

Key Takeaway

Address and heal cumulative hurts early.

Themes

relationships conflict accumulation emotional resilience

Mood

reflective cautionary

Type

relationship psychological

When to use this quote

- long‑term partnership
- friendship
- family dynamics

Key Concepts

psychology communication trauma

Questions to Reflect On

- What small hurts have you ignored?
- How can you notice early warning signs?

A Different Perspective

Focusing on big events may overlook subtle, ongoing damage.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Know Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-relationships-813762/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Relationships Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships-don/) [Thousand Blows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-blows-2000478/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“Relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight, it's a thousand blows, delivered over time, uppercuts, jabs, crosses, some you barely even feel, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/relationships-don-t-dissolve-over-one-event-one-fight-it-s-a-thousand/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [Want to know why relationships don't usually work? conversations have become texts, arguments are phone calls, feelings became subliminal messages online, sex became easy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cob/want-to-know-why-relationships-don-t-usually-work-conversations-have/)

[COB](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cob/)

> [A thousand kindnesses do not make up for a thousand blows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-bogan/a-thousand-kindnesses-do-not-make-up-for-a-thousand-blows/)

[Louise Bogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-bogan/)

> [“As you know, not all relationships are the same. Some need more nurturing than others.  Rather than leave this to chance, a thoughtful, intentional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-bolton/as-you-know-not-all-relationships-are-the-same-some-need-more/)

[Chuck Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-bolton/)

> [It's something that I feel I know about, relationships between men and women. I like to write from the woman's point of view now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/it-s-something-that-i-feel-i-know-about-relationships-between-men-and/)

[Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/)

> [There is a thread connecting you no matter how far away you are from someone and you know I have two or three relationships…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pj-harvey/there-is-a-thread-connecting-you-no-matter-how-far-away-you-are-from/)

[PJ Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pj-harvey/)

> [I know the relationships, and I already know my characters and how I'm going to reveal my characters to my readers - how I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/i-know-the-relationships-and-i-already-know-my-characters-and-how-i-m/)

[Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/)

> [We know - relationships in this sport, it's very hard to have a really great relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ricciardo/we-know-relationships-in-this-sport-it-s-very-hard-to-have-a-really/)

[Daniel Ricciardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ricciardo/)

> [I talk to my friends and, you know, they all seem to get relationships that aren't right. You kind of want someone who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-liotta/i-talk-to-my-friends-and-you-know-they-all-seem-to-get-relationships/)

[Ray Liotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-liotta/)

> [I know that relationships can be a winding, sometimes unpredictable road... it just seems to me that, if you ever find yourself backed into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/i-know-that-relationships-can-be-a-winding-sometimes-unpredictable/)

[Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/)

> [I don't know about relationships. Maybe I'm supposed to travel and make films and meet people and have adventures instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-cassavetes/i-don-t-know-about-relationships-maybe-i-m-supposed-to-travel-and/)

[Alexandra Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-cassavetes/)

> [“We can't really know what relationships will last or not last in our lives, romantic and otherwise. What we can do is give the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/we-can-t-really-know-what-relationships-will-last-or-not-last-in-our/)

[Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/)

> [Sometimes we fail at relationships because we don't have a good relationship with ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-we-fail-at-relationships-because-we-don-t-have-a-good/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When relationships don't work out, it doesn't mean you're a bad person, it just means you weren't meant to be together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-mcmillan/when-relationships-don-t-work-out-it-doesn-t-mean-you-re-a-bad-person/)

[Tracy McMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-mcmillan/)

> [“There is no such thing as relationships in this world. It is really a self-created net. Do these cows-buffalos have any relationships? They don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/there-is-no-such-thing-as-relationships-in-this-world-it-is-really-a/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

## More by Colleen Oakley

> [“Why does every quote about bad stuff happening have to do with weather? And are there any about tsunamis? Because that feels like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/why-does-every-quote-about-bad-stuff-happening-have-to-do-with/)

[colleen oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“Relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight, it's a thousand blows, delivered over time, uppercuts, jabs, crosses, some you barely even feel, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/relationships-don-t-dissolve-over-one-event-one-fight-it-s-a-thousand/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“What is it about darkness that compels one to reveal so much?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/what-is-it-about-darkness-that-compels-one-to-reveal-so-much/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“I sit back, pushing my shoulder blades into the cushion behind me, and delight in the rare feeling of something just falling into place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/i-sit-back-pushing-my-shoulder-blades-into-the-cushion-behind-me-and/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“I know. But honestly? Sometimes it's the only word that works.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/i-know-but-honestly-sometimes-it-s-the-only-word-that-works/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“(That sucks.) And I sadly laugh at how succinctly that sums it up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/that-sucks-and-i-sadly-laugh-at-how-succinctly-that-sums-it-up/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“To know if I'm alone in my longing, a lighthouse signaling to an empty sea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/to-know-if-i-m-alone-in-my-longing-a-lighthouse-signaling-to-an-empty/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

> [“And I wonder if this is what people mean when they say they're falling for somebody. That it feels like your stomach is actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/and-i-wonder-if-this-is-what-people-mean-when-they-say-they-re/)

[Colleen Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

[Explore all 9 Colleen Oakley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/)

## More Fight quotes

> [“I wanted a fight. I needed a fight. I was sick and tired of playing nice. I AM NOT NICE. - Caleb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/i-wanted-a-fight-i-needed-a-fight-i-was-sick-and-tired-of-playing/)

[C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/)

> [I used to fight with hate. There's been a lot of aggression in my past growing up and stuff. That's because I was hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/i-used-to-fight-with-hate-there-s-been-a-lot-of-aggression-in-my-past/)

[Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/)

> [You have to fight gravity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-wine/you-have-to-fight-gravity/)

[Sherwin Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-wine/)

> [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/)

[Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/)

> [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/)

[Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/)

> [I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-ten-hag/i-am-a-fighter-and-i-am-in-that-fight-and-i-have-to-make-sure-that-i/)

[Erik ten Hag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-ten-hag/)

> [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/)

[Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/)

> [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/)

[Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/)

> [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/)

[Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/)

> [I want to fight the fights that fans want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/i-want-to-fight-the-fights-that-fans-want-to-see/)

[Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/)

> [We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/we-shall-fight-against-them-throw-them-in-prisons-and-destroy-them/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [I really believe if GSP and Silva fight, Georges will have his hand raised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hughes/i-really-believe-if-gsp-and-silva-fight-georges-will-have-his-hand/)

[Matt Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hughes/)

> [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/)

[Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/)

> [Therefore, our fight must primarily be a political mass struggle with revolutionary goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-slovo/therefore-our-fight-must-primarily-be-a-political-mass-struggle-with/)

[Joe Slovo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-slovo/)

> [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/)

[David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/)

[Browse all 9,748 Fight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“But of course I know that relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight. It's a thousand blows delivered over time--uppercuts, jabs, crosses--some you barely even feel. And then before you know it, you're on the ground seeing stars and wondering what the hell happened.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Colleen Oakley"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships-don-t-dissolve-over-one-event/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Fight"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships-don-t-dissolve-over-one-event/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ce/colleen-oakley-44900_fight_but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships_2958432.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“But of course I know that relationships don't dissolve over one event, one fight. It's a thousand blows…” — Colleen Oakley",
                "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": "Colleen Oakley",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-oakley/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“But of course I know that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships-don-t-dissolve-over-one-event/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-oakley/but-of-course-i-know-that-relationships-don-t-dissolve-over-one-event/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
