--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To this point, he could not really have…" description: "\"“To this point, he could not really have said that he loved William. Feel the terror of responsibility for him, yes. Carry thought of him like a gem in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/diana-gabaldon-185_jamie-fraser_to-this-point-he-could-not-really-have-s_1258421.jpg" --- # To this point, he could not really have said that he loved… ![“To this point, he could not really have said that he loved William. Feel the terror of responsibility for him, yes. Carry thought of him like a gem in his pocket, certainly, reaching now and then to touch it, marveling. But now he felt the perfection of the tiny bones of William’s spine through…” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/diana-gabaldon-185_jamie-fraser_to-this-point-he-could-not-really-have-s_1258421.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/diana-gabaldon-185_jamie-fraser_to-this-point-he-could-not-really-have-s_1258421.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/diana-gabaldon-185_jamie-fraser_to-this-point-he-could-not-really-have-s_1258421.jpg) > ““To this point, he could not really have said that he loved William. Feel the terror of responsibility for him, yes. Carry thought of him like a gem in his pocket, certainly, reaching now and then to touch it, marveling. But now he felt the perfection of the tiny bones of William’s spine through his clothes, smooth as marbles under his fingers, smelled the scent of him, rich with the incense of innocence and the faint tang of shit and clean linen. And thought his heart would break with love.”” [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. Love intertwines with responsibility, creating both awe and fear, as intimate details become both precious and overwhelming **In simple terms:** Love is beautiful yet burdensome Key Takeaway Embrace love’s complexity with care Themes love responsibility intimacy vulnerability Mood tender introspective Type literary emotional When to use this quote - relationships - parenthood - caregiving - personal reflection Key Concepts emotional depth sensory detail Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance love and personal space? - What rituals help manage emotional intensity? A Different Perspective Intense focus can be emotionally draining ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jamie fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jamie-fraser/) [Loved William](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-william-3992031/) [Said Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-loved/) [Smelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smelled/) [Smelled Scent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smelled-scent-2298925/) [William Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/william-feel-284172/) ## Related quotes > [“I couldn't stop thinking about blue eyes and the way he smelled, his scent was a mix of liquor, winter fresh and Nautical sport.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenna-maynard/i-couldn-t-stop-thinking-about-blue-eyes-and-the-way-he-smelled-his/) [Glenna Maynard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenna-maynard/) > [“As she took a deep breath, all she smelled was him, the scent going in her nose and blooming all over her body. Bastard,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/as-she-took-a-deep-breath-all-she-smelled-was-him-the-scent-going-in/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Both my grandmother and mother used to wear the Red Roses cologne, and when I was 21 or 22, I smelled the same scent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-delevingne/both-my-grandmother-and-mother-used-to-wear-the-red-roses-cologne-and/) [Poppy Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-delevingne/) > [“He smelled the scent of roses and it nearly maddened him. Or perhaps he was already mad. “Run now,” he whispered. She stared at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/he-smelled-the-scent-of-roses-and-it-nearly-maddened-him-or-perhaps/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [“ Bye ,” he said with a gentle smile. And with that, his delicious boots walked right out of the J-Bar, his dark blue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/bye-he-said-with-a-gentle-smile-and-with-that-his-delicious-boots/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [William and I feel that every child deserves to be supported through difficult times in their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-middleton/william-and-i-feel-that-every-child-deserves-to-be-supported-through/) [Kate Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-middleton/) > [“When you took me from the witch trial at Cranesmuir--you said then that you would have died with me, you would have gone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-took-me-from-the-witch-trial-at-cranesmuir-you-said-then/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [You are safe," he said firmly. "You have my name and my family, my clan, and if necessary, the protection of my body as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/you-are-safe-he-said-firmly-you-have-my-name-and-my-family-my-clan/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“God, don't laugh!" Jamie said, alarmed. "I didna mean to make ye laugh! Christ, Jenny will kill me if ye cough up a lung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/god-don-t-laugh-jamie-said-alarmed-i-didna-mean-to-make-ye-laugh/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I'm honest enough to say that I dinna care what the right and wrong of it may be, so long as you're here wi'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-m-honest-enough-to-say-that-i-dinna-care-what-the-right-and-wrong-2/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My father liked me, when I wasna being an idiot. And he loved me, too -- enough to beat the daylights out of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-father-liked-me-when-i-wasna-being-an-idiot-and-he-loved-me-too/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [That's what marriage is good for; it makes a sacrament out of things ye'd otherwise have to confess. Jamie Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/that-s-what-marriage-is-good-for-it-makes-a-sacrament-out-of-things/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Look back, hold a torch to light the recesses of the dark. Listen to the footsteps that echo behind, when you walk alone. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/look-back-hold-a-torch-to-light-the-recesses-of-the-dark-listen-to/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“A man should pay tribute to your body," he said softly... "For you are beautiful, and that is your right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/a-man-should-pay-tribute-to-your-body-he-said-softly-for-you-are/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Ye always carry your women wi ye into battle, Ian Og. They're the root of your strength, man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/ye-always-carry-your-women-wi-ye-into-battle-ian-og-they-re-the-root/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## 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 Jamie fraser quotes > [“Ye always carry your women wi ye into battle, Ian Og. They're the root of your strength, man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/ye-always-carry-your-women-wi-ye-into-battle-ian-og-they-re-the-root/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [You are safe," he said firmly. "You have my name and my family, my clan, and if necessary, the protection of my body as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/you-are-safe-he-said-firmly-you-have-my-name-and-my-family-my-clan/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“God, don't laugh!" Jamie said, alarmed. "I didna mean to make ye laugh! Christ, Jenny will kill me if ye cough up a lung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/god-don-t-laugh-jamie-said-alarmed-i-didna-mean-to-make-ye-laugh/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Look back, hold a torch to light the recesses of the dark. Listen to the footsteps that echo behind, when you walk alone. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/look-back-hold-a-torch-to-light-the-recesses-of-the-dark-listen-to/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“When you took me from the witch trial at Cranesmuir--you said then that you would have died with me, you would have gone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-took-me-from-the-witch-trial-at-cranesmuir-you-said-then/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“A man should pay tribute to your body," he said softly... "For you are beautiful, and that is your right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/a-man-should-pay-tribute-to-your-body-he-said-softly-for-you-are/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [That's what marriage is good for; it makes a sacrament out of things ye'd otherwise have to confess. Jamie Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/that-s-what-marriage-is-good-for-it-makes-a-sacrament-out-of-things/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My father liked me, when I wasna being an idiot. And he loved me, too -- enough to beat the daylights out of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-father-liked-me-when-i-wasna-being-an-idiot-and-he-loved-me-too/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I'm honest enough to say that I dinna care what the right and wrong of it may be, so long as you're here wi'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-m-honest-enough-to-say-that-i-dinna-care-what-the-right-and-wrong-2/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Jaime, you must be half-dead" He laughed tiredly, holding me close with one large warm hand on the small of my back. "A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/jaime-you-must-be-half-dead-he-laughed-tiredly-holding-me-close-with/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“That's the best thing I can think of. Having a good hold on your arse always makes me feel steady.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/that-s-the-best-thing-i-can-think-of-having-a-good-hold-on-your-arse/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [You are my courage, as I am your conscience," he whispered. "You are my heart---and I your compassion. We are neither of us whole,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/you-are-my-courage-as-i-am-your-conscience-he-whispered-you-are-my-3/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I wouldna cross the road to see a scrawny woman if she was stark naked and dripping wet. ~Jamie Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-wouldna-cross-the-road-to-see-a-scrawny-woman-if-she-was-stark/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“What . . . fellow?” The wind was cool, but I could see sweat trickling down the back of Jamie’s neck, dampening his collar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/what-fellow-the-wind-was-cool-but-i-could-see-sweat-trickling-down/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I know what it felt . . . like when I . . . thought you were dead, and-" A small gasp for breath,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-know-what-it-felt-like-when-i-thought-you-were-dead-and-a-small/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Browse all 43 Jamie fraser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jamie-fraser/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“To this point, he could not really have said that he loved William. 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