--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: D'ye think I don't know?\" he asked…" description: "\"D'ye think I don't know?\" he asked softly. \"It's me that has the easy part now. For if ye feel for me as I do for you-then I'm asking you to tear out y..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/diana-gabaldon-185_asking_d-ye-think-i-don-t-know-he-asked-softly_2566396.jpg" --- # D'ye think I don't know?" he asked softly. "It's me that… ![“D'ye think I don't know?" he asked softly. "It's me that has the easy part now. For if ye feel for me as I do for you-then I'm asking you to tear out your heart and live without it.” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/diana-gabaldon-185_asking_d-ye-think-i-don-t-know-he-asked-softly_2566396.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/diana-gabaldon-185_asking_d-ye-think-i-don-t-know-he-asked-softly_2566396.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c9/diana-gabaldon-185_asking_d-ye-think-i-don-t-know-he-asked-softly_2566396.jpg) > “D'ye think I don't know?" he asked softly. "It's me that has the easy part now. For if ye feel for me as I do for you-then I'm asking you to tear out your heart and live without it.” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker offers a painful sacrifice, asking the listener to give up deep love for personal freedom. **In simple terms:** Give up love to be free. Key Takeaway Consider the cost of emotional freedom. Themes sacrifice love freedom Mood melancholic intense Type literary dramatic When to use this quote - breakup decisions - letting go - self‑preservation - emotional boundaries Key Concepts emotional labor personal autonomy heartache Questions to Reflect On - What would you sacrifice for freedom? - Is losing love worth the gain? A Different Perspective Love may be essential to identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asked Softly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-softly-666019/) [Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) [Asking Tear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-tear-1652316/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Easy Ye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy-ye-1652318/) [Feel Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-asking-1652317/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Tear Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tear-heart/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“For if you feel for me as i do for you - then I am asking you to tear out your heart and live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/for-if-you-feel-for-me-as-i-do-for-you-then-i-am-asking-you-to-tear/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Here's the acid test for appropriateness: Pretend that someone near and dear to you is witnessing what you are writing or sending, or knows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-pinsky/here-s-the-acid-test-for-appropriateness-pretend-that-someone-near/) [Drew Pinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-pinsky/) > [“Should I talk to her friends?’ he asked softly, because he had to say something to take his mind away from the feel of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-rose/should-i-talk-to-her-friends-he-asked-softly-because-he-had-to-say/) [Elisabeth Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-rose/) > [“Smite,” she asked softly, “do you have any idea what to say to me in a situation like this?” “Of course I do,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-milan/smite-she-asked-softly-do-you-have-any-idea-what-to-say-to-me-in-a/) [Courtney Milan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-milan/) > [Haven't you ever wished that you could steal back just a few hours of your past?" she asked softly. "That's all I want... just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/haven-t-you-ever-wished-that-you-could-steal-back-just-a-few-hours-of/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“I’ve always wanted to do this. Please let me.” He asked softly. I remember him saying that taking care of me gave him purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-simcoe/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-this-please-let-me-he-asked-softly-i/) [Marina Simcoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-simcoe/) > [“Did you know that you're very relaxing company?" he asked softly. She was not particularly pleased to hear that while she found him electryfying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-company-he-asked-softly-she/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“You ask me if you can eat dinner in your room, but you don’t ask me if you can torture Éibhear to take you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/you-ask-me-if-you-can-eat-dinner-in-your-room-but-you-don-t-ask-me-if/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“Will you sleep with me?" he asked softly, before grinning suddenly. "In the tub?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-crane/will-you-sleep-with-me-he-asked-softly-before-grinning-suddenly-in/) [Shelly Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-crane/) > [We need to be together." "Why?" I asked softly. The word was carried away on the wind, but he heard. "Because I want you."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/we-need-to-be-together-why-i-asked-softly-the-word-was-carried-away/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“Do you like me in your head, Quinn?” she asked softly. My teeth grit for a second. “More than is good for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-cox/do-you-like-me-in-your-head-quinn-she-asked-softly-my-teeth-grit-for/) [Zara Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-cox/) > [Peter,” Ashley asked softly, “Do you know what that was?” “Of course,” Peter said, much affronted. “A thimble.” “No,” said Ashley, staring, “That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/peter-ashley-asked-softly-do-you-know-what-that-was-of-course-peter/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [“Why?" I asked softly. The word was carried away on the wind, but he heard. "Because I want you." I gave him a sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/why-i-asked-softly-the-word-was-carried-away-on-the-wind-but-he-heard/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“When I didn't say anything, he came closer, dropping slowly to his haunches so we were at eye level. My eyes searched his gorgeous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/when-i-didn-t-say-anything-he-came-closer-dropping-slowly-to-his/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) > [“Where on earth did you come from, baby?” Frey's brows drew together and he asked softly back, "Pardon?" My thumb stroked his jaw before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/where-on-earth-did-you-come-from-baby-frey-s-brows-drew-together-and/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Asking quotes > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Stop asking yourself how or why and tell yourself you can." - Charmainism”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-smith-ladd/stop-asking-yourself-how-or-why-and-tell-yourself-you-can-charmainism/) [Charmaine Smith Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-smith-ladd/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [People will identify with a persecuted minority without asking themselves what they are identifying with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/people-will-identify-with-a-persecuted-minority-without-asking/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [If you're having a bad day already and everybody is just asking you petty questions, it drives people to the edge, or something really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/if-you-re-having-a-bad-day-already-and-everybody-is-just-asking-you/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [You never give away your heart; you lend it from time to time. If it were not so, how could we take it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/you-never-give-away-your-heart-you-lend-it-from-time-to-time-if-it/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [I'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Use Google Before Asking A Stupid Question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muskaan/use-google-before-asking-a-stupid-question/) [Muskaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muskaan/) > [There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-were-people-asking-can-women-be-funny-people-still-ask-that-it/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Love cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/love-cannot-be-had-for-the-asking-it-comes-only-as-a-gift-from-the/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/the-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-something-every-player-dreams-about-but/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [“In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-such-a-regime-i-say-you-died-a-good-death-if-your-life-had/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Browse all 3,313 Asking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "D'ye think I don't know?\" he asked softly. \"It's me that has the easy part now. 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