---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We say that the words were smooth…"
description: "\"We say that the words were smooth, caressing, hard, sharp, and so on: all words that refer to body touching. Indeed we can kill or elate with words as ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/humberto-maturana-47431_body_we-say-that-the-words-were-smooth-caress_3030416.png"
---

#  We say that the words were smooth, caressing, hard, sharp…

![“We say that the words were smooth, caressing, hard, sharp, and so on: all words that refer to body touching. Indeed we can kill or elate with words as body experiences.” quote by Humberto Maturana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/humberto-maturana-47431_body_we-say-that-the-words-were-smooth-caress_3030416.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/humberto-maturana-47431_body_we-say-that-the-words-were-smooth-caress_3030416.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/humberto-maturana-47431_body_we-say-that-the-words-were-smooth-caress_3030416.png)

> “We say that the words were smooth, caressing, hard, sharp, and so on: all words that refer to body touching. Indeed we can kill or elate with words as body experiences.”

[Humberto Maturana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humberto-maturana/)

## About This Quote

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

Words act like bodily sensations, capable of harming or uplifting, because language is embodied.

**In simple terms:** Words can hurt or heal like physical touch.

Key Takeaway

Choose words that uplift, not wound.

Themes

language embodiment communication emotion power

Mood

empathetic insightful

Type

psychological philosophical

When to use this quote

- conflict resolution
- therapy sessions
- teaching communication skills

Key Concepts

semantic embodiment affective linguistics social interaction

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you ensure your words convey the intended feeling?
- When have words healed you?

A Different Perspective

Words may be misinterpreted despite intent.

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[Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Touching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/touching/)

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