Hurt Quote by David James Duncan
““I think it might fly around and around in there like a witch on a broomstick flies round the sky, and go right on hurting invisible parts of the person you don’t even know you’re hurting, because you can’t see all the ways their insides are connected to the mean thing you did to their outside And from them on, maybe that hump of mean energy sits inside the hurt person like a coiled-up hose or a rattlesnake, just waiting in there. And someday, when that person touches somebody else, maybe even way in the future, that rattlesnake energy might come humping up out of them by accident and hurt that next person too, even though they didn’t mean to, and even though the person didn’t deserve it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The River Why by David James Duncan, 1983
Unseen emotional trauma can linger and affect others unintentionally, spreading harm like a hidden toxin.
In simple terms: Hidden hurt can spread to others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address hidden emotional wounds.
Themes
emotional health
interpersonal impact
trauma
responsibility
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- counseling sessions
- family gatherings
- conflict resolution
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
energy metaphor
intergenerational trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice invisible wounds in yourself?
- Can you prevent passing on hidden hurt?
A Different Perspective
Healing requires conscious effort; not all damage is visible.
