---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They stopped thinking with an almost…"
description: "\"“They stopped thinking with an almost painful relief, stopped seeing; they only breathed and sought each other. They were both in the gray gentle world..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_nerves-raw_they-stopped-thinking-with-an-almost-pai_2995809.jpg"
---

#  They stopped thinking with an almost painful relief…

![“They stopped thinking with an almost painful relief, stopped seeing; they only breathed and sought each other. They were both in the gray gentle world of a mild hangover of fatigue when the nerves relax in bunches like piano strings, and crackle suddenly like wicker chairs. Nerves so raw and…” quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_nerves-raw_they-stopped-thinking-with-an-almost-pai_2995809.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_nerves-raw_they-stopped-thinking-with-an-almost-pai_2995809.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_nerves-raw_they-stopped-thinking-with-an-almost-pai_2995809.jpg)

> ““They stopped thinking with an almost painful relief, stopped seeing; they only breathed and sought each other. They were both in the gray gentle world of a mild hangover of fatigue when the nerves relax in bunches like piano strings, and crackle suddenly like wicker chairs. Nerves so raw and tender must surely join other nerves, lips to lips, breast to breast…””

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

## About This Quote

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

Exhaustion leads to a raw, intimate connection where nerves relax and become tender, fostering deep physical and emotional union.

**In simple terms:** Fatigue can create tender intimacy.

Key Takeaway

Embrace vulnerability after fatigue.

Themes

intimacy exhaustion connection

Mood

melancholic intimate

Type

literary romantic

When to use this quote

- long night conversations
- post‑work relaxation
- intimate moments

Key Concepts

psychology sensory experience

Questions to Reflect On

- How does fatigue alter intimacy?
- What balance of rest and connection feels right?

A Different Perspective

Physical fatigue may hinder rather than help intimacy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fatigue Nerves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatigue-nerves-4731279/) [Nerves Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerves-raw-337278/) [Nerves Relax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerves-relax-4731277/) [Relief Stopped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relief-stopped-4731278/) [Stopped Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped-thinking/)

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> ['/\|/'\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_//'/\|/ that's my heart beat, See that part in the middle, That's what happened when I stopped thinking about you..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiv/that-s-my-heart-beat-see-that-part-in-the-middle-that-s-what-happened/)

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## More by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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## More Nerves Raw quotes

> [The public's nerves are raw and edgy. You have to be discreet and understanding about the films you are showing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-valenti/the-public-s-nerves-are-raw-and-edgy-you-have-to-be-discreet-and/)

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