--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's when the thing itself is missing…" description: "\"It's when the thing itself is missing that you have to supply the word.\" — Henry de Montherlant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg" --- # It's when the thing itself is missing that you have to… ![“It's when the thing itself is missing that you have to supply the word.” quote by Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg) > “It's when the thing itself is missing that you have to supply the word.” [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When something is absent, we must create language to fill the gap, highlighting language's role in meaning. **In simple terms:** Missing things need words to describe them. Key Takeaway Use language to clarify gaps. Themes language meaning creativity Mood introspective analytical thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing - teaching - problem solving - artistic expression Key Concepts semiotics communication theory Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape perception? - When should we embrace silence? A Different Perspective Overreliance on language can obscure direct experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Missing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missing/) [Missing Supply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missing-supply-510615/) [Supply Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supply-word-510616/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Thing Missing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-missing-510614/) ## Related quotes > [You know the worst thing about missing you is that you don't miss me at all. I try my best to make you happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-el-hallab/you-know-the-worst-thing-about-missing-you-is-that-you-don-t-miss-me/) [Mahmoud El Hallab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-el-hallab/) > [I don't know, but I do know I want to have children. That's the only thing missing in my life. I certainly thought I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stamos/i-don-t-know-but-i-do-know-i-want-to-have-children-that-s-the-only/) [John Stamos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stamos/) > [If you hold on tight to what you think is your thing you may find you re missing all the rest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-hold-on-tight-to-what-you-think-is-your-thing-you-may-find-you-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only thing missing in any situation is that in which you are not giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-only-thing-missing-in-any-situation-is-that-in-which-you-are-not/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“Something was missing. I couldn't tell you what it was if you asked but it was off. And if you think of a relationship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/something-was-missing-i-couldn-t-tell-you-what-it-was-if-you-asked/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [You are the thing I was missing and I couldn't find, and I wouldn't give you up, even if I end up blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/you-are-the-thing-i-was-missing-and-i-couldn-t-find-and-i-wouldn-t/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [If you hold on tight to what you think is your thing, you may find you're missing all the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-matthews-band/if-you-hold-on-tight-to-what-you-think-is-your-thing-you-may-find-you/) [Dave Matthews Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-matthews-band/) > [I'm very resilient. The only thing I'm missing right now are abs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artie-lange/i-m-very-resilient-the-only-thing-i-m-missing-right-now-are-abs/) [Artie Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artie-lange/) > [The only thing missing from your life is what you're failing to bring to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-smith/the-only-thing-missing-from-your-life-is-what-you-re-failing-to-bring/) [Brent Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-smith/) > [I never asked my heart back , I knew it was d only thing missing in her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stallion5786/i-never-asked-my-heart-back-i-knew-it-was-d-only-thing-missing-in-her/) [Stallion5786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stallion5786/) > [And the thing which is missing is love, some feeling for, as well as some understanding of, the inclusive community of rocks and soils,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/and-the-thing-which-is-missing-is-love-some-feeling-for-as-well-as/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [“There are always one thing missing in the life. No matter what it is?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prem/there-are-always-one-thing-missing-in-the-life-no-matter-what-it-is/) [Prem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prem/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [There is 1 thing 2 do 3 words 4 u I love u](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-1-thing-2-do-3-words-4-u-i-love-u/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have often wondered how they manage to get return envelopes which miss, by one-quarter of an inch, fitting the blank you are supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/i-have-often-wondered-how-they-manage-to-get-return-envelopes-which/) [Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/) ## More by Henry de Montherlant > [... when something is detestable, and yet inevitable, what one must do is not merely to endure it-a hard task whatever one may do-but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/when-something-is-detestable-and-yet-inevitable-what-one-must-do-is/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [One puts into one's art what one has not been capable of putting into one's existence. It is because he was unhappy that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/one-puts-into-one-s-art-what-one-has-not-been-capable-of-putting-into/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [“Anyone I love takes away part of my freedom, but in that case it is I who wished it; and there is so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/anyone-i-love-takes-away-part-of-my-freedom-but-in-that-case-it-is-i/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [The United States is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/the-united-states-is-evil/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [A single nation that has succeeded in lowering the intelligence, the morality, the quality of the human race almost throughout the globe is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/a-single-nation-that-has-succeeded-in-lowering-the-intelligence-the/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [Most affections are habits or duties we lack the courage to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/most-affections-are-habits-or-duties-we-lack-the-courage-to-end/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [It is because he was unhappy that God created the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/it-is-because-he-was-unhappy-that-god-created-the-world/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [“Her beauty belonged to all the world but her flaws belonged to him alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/her-beauty-belonged-to-all-the-world-but-her-flaws-belonged-to-him/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [Throughout history the world has been laid waste to ensure the triumph of conceptions that are now as dead as the men that died…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/throughout-history-the-world-has-been-laid-waste-to-ensure-the/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [The United States is evil ... it is the canker of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/the-united-states-is-evil-it-is-the-canker-of-the-world/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [There is only one way to be prepared for death: to be sated. In the soul, in the heart, in the spirit, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/there-is-only-one-way-to-be-prepared-for-death-to-be-sated-in-the/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [Happiness writes in white ink on a white page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/happiness-writes-in-white-ink-on-a-white-page/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [“To search for a solutions, knowing that the problem is insoluble; to serve, while smiling at what one serves; to subject oneself to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/to-search-for-a-solutions-knowing-that-the-problem-is-insoluble-to/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [It is through chance that, from among the various individuals of which each of us is composed, one emerges rather than another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/it-is-through-chance-that-from-among-the-various-individuals-of-which/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) > [I have only the idea I have made of myself to sustain me on oceans of nothingness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/i-have-only-the-idea-i-have-made-of-myself-to-sustain-me-on-oceans-of/) [Henry de Montherlant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) [Explore all 24 Henry de Montherlant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/) ## More Funny quotes > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Sometimes I look at my awesome twitter followers & think to myself, What the hell would I do without them :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sometimes-i-look-at-my-awesome-twitter-followers-think-to-myself-what/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/) [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) > [Congratulations to Facebook on going public with all my private information...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/congratulations-to-facebook-on-going-public-with-all-my-private/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why are things as they are and not otherwise?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-kepler/why-are-things-as-they-are-and-not-otherwise/) [Johannes Kepler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-kepler/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Penis goes in , sperms cums out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/penis-goes-in-sperms-cums-out/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/if-you-were-to-send-a-werewolf-to-the-moon-would-he-be-a-werewolf/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) > [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/) [Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/) > [Don't think OF the market. Think AS the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fishman/don-t-think-of-the-market-think-as-the-market/) [Michael Fishman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fishman/) [Browse all 39,858 Funny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's when the thing itself is missing that you have to supply the word.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry de Montherlant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-that-you-have-to-supply-the-word/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Funny" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-that-you-have-to-supply-the-word/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a7/henry-de-montherlant-22703_funny_it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-th_1634184.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's when the thing itself is missing that you have to supply the word.” — Henry de Montherlant", "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": "Henry de Montherlant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-de-montherlant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's when the thing itself is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-that-you-have-to-supply-the-word/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-de-montherlant/it-s-when-the-thing-itself-is-missing-that-you-have-to-supply-the-word/#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 } } ] } ```