--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Love, he realized, was like the daggers…" description: "\"“Love, he realized, was like the daggers he made in his forge: When you first got one it was shiny and new and the blade glinted bright in the light. H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg" --- # Love, he realized, was like the daggers he made in his… ![“Love, he realized, was like the daggers he made in his forge: When you first got one it was shiny and new and the blade glinted bright in the light. Holding it against your palm, you were full of optimism for what it would be like in the field, and you couldn't wait to try it out. Except those…” quote by J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg) > ““Love, he realized, was like the daggers he made in his forge: When you first got one it was shiny and new and the blade glinted bright in the light. Holding it against your palm, you were full of optimism for what it would be like in the field, and you couldn't wait to try it out. Except those first couple of nights out were usually awkward as you got used to it and it got used to you. Over time, the steel lost its brand-new gleam, and the hilt became stained, and maybe you nicked the shit out of the thing a couple of times. What you got in return, however, saved your life: Once the pair of you were well acquainted, it became such a part of you that it was an extension of your own arm. It protected you and gave you a means to protect your brothers; it provided you with the confidnece and the power to face whatever came out of the night; and wherever you went, it stayed with you, right over your heart, always there when you needed it. You had to keep the blade up, however. And rewrap the hilt from time to time. And double-check the weight. Funny...all of that was well, duh when it came to weapons. Why hadn't it dawned on him that matings were the same? (From the thoughts of Vishous)”” [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Love is likened to a forged weapon that starts bright and useful, then dulls and stains, but becomes an essential extension of oneself that must be maintained. **In simple terms:** Love starts exciting, then gets worn, yet becomes vital and needs care. Key Takeaway Nurture love as you would a tool. Themes relationships growth maintenance trust intimacy Mood reflective thoughtful hopeful Type advice metaphorical inspirational When to use this quote - romantic partnership - friendship - teamwork - conflict resolution Key Concepts attachment theory symbolism personal development Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep love sharp? - What signs show love needs repair? A Different Perspective Love can become burdensome if not tended, leading to resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blade Glinted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blade-glinted-4731743/) [Daggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daggers/) [Daggers Forge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daggers-forge-4731742/) [Hilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hilt-2008075/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Like Daggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-daggers-2268966/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“The smiles he gave me were like lush paintings or lines of romantic prose. 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She looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/there-was-a-loud-scraping-noise-as-five-chairs-slid-backward-the-men/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [You would have made a fine warrior, you know that?" I am one. Death is my enemy." Yeah, it is, isn't it." God, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/you-would-have-made-a-fine-warrior-you-know-that-i-am-one-death-is-my/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [It was considerably larger than a knife hilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/it-was-considerably-larger-than-a-knife-hilt/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [He who brings ridicule to bear against truth finds in his hand a blade without a hilt. The most sparkling and pointed flame of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/he-who-brings-ridicule-to-bear-against-truth-finds-in-his-hand-a-2/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [“Something or other was being made good. I touched the knife hilt at my side, and remembered that all men were once boys, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dickey/something-or-other-was-being-made-good-i-touched-the-knife-hilt-at-my/) [James Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dickey/) > [He who brings ridicule to bear against truth finds in his hand a blade without a hilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/he-who-brings-ridicule-to-bear-against-truth-finds-in-his-hand-a/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [“Guilt is the hilt of the knife that we use on ourselves, and love is often the blade;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/guilt-is-the-hilt-of-the-knife-that-we-use-on-ourselves-and-love-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Next to my bed I have a custom lightsaber. A custom hilt with an orange blade up on the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brook-lopez/next-to-my-bed-i-have-a-custom-lightsaber-a-custom-hilt-with-an/) [Brook Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brook-lopez/) > [Music, the knife without a hilt,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/music-the-knife-without-a-hilt/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Will Hilt to hand yet be restored? Take me up, thy mother's sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/will-hilt-to-hand-yet-be-restored-take-me-up-thy-mother-s-sword/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [“Tho' veiled in spires of myrtle wreath, Love is a sword that cuts its sheath, And thro' the clefts, itself has made, We spy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/tho-veiled-in-spires-of-myrtle-wreath-love-is-a-sword-that-cuts-its/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Arthur’s fingers tighten on the silver-braided hilt: see how naturally it fits his hand! He pulls. The Sword of Britain slides from its stone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-lawhead/arthur-s-fingers-tighten-on-the-silver-braided-hilt-see-how-naturally/) [Stephen R. Lawhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-lawhead/) ## More by J.R. Ward > [“If you’ve bullshitted me, angel, I’m going to kill you.” The other male rolled his eyes. “I’m already dead, idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/if-you-ve-bullshitted-me-angel-i-m-going-to-kill-you-the-other-male/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [You're getting into some kind of shape, cop." Aw, come on, now." Butch grinned. "Don't let that shower we took go to your head."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/you-re-getting-into-some-kind-of-shape-cop-aw-come-on-now-butch/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [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/) > [“Knock her dead, my man." "Oh no." Xcor shook his head."That shan't be necessary. This one I like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/knock-her-dead-my-man-oh-no-xcor-shook-his-head-that-shan-t-be/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“I’m not strong enough for this,” he whispered in her ear—like he didn’t want anyone to hear that coming out of his mouth. Ever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/i-m-not-strong-enough-for-this-he-whispered-in-her-ear-like-he-didn-t/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“Fucking hell. "Did you guys plan that out?" "Yeah, and if you don't fight us"--Hollywood bit down on his grape Tootsie-Pop--"we'll do it again--only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/fucking-hell-did-you-guys-plan-that-out-yeah-and-if-you-don-t-fight/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“Why ever are you here?“ she whispered, putting her hands to his face. “Because I love you.” In so many ways, that explained nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/why-ever-are-you-here-she-whispered-putting-her-hands-to-his-face/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Time to the face the music,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/time-to-the-face-the-music/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“As his ears rang and his heart broke for her, he stayed strong against the gale force she let loose. After all, there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/as-his-ears-rang-and-his-heart-broke-for-her-he-stayed-strong-against/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“Rehvenge, I’m talking to you more than I speak with my mahmen.” “I thought your mother was dead.” “She is.” “You have a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/rehvenge-i-m-talking-to-you-more-than-i-speak-with-my-mahmen-i/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [In his fantasy, he kissed his best friend again, pulled back, and… “I love you,” he said into the spray of the shower. “I……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/in-his-fantasy-he-kissed-his-best-friend-again-pulled-back-and-i-love/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [And love … love was worth dying for. Worth living for, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/and-love-love-was-worth-dying-for-worth-living-for-too/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“He had a weakness, though. All of us do, and those of us who think they do not are not being honest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/he-had-a-weakness-though-all-of-us-do-and-those-of-us-who-think-they/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally…in love with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/because-i-was-and-i-remain-utterly-and-completely-and-totally-in-love/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) [Explore all 1,120 J.R. Ward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) ## More Daggers quotes > [I will speak daggers to her, but use none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-will-speak-daggers-to-her-but-use-none/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“The guards were pacing in front of the large tent. They were armed with swords, axes, and crossbows, which Ennion didn't think was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-lewis-baillot/the-guards-were-pacing-in-front-of-the-large-tent-they-were-armed/) [Jack Lewis Baillot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-lewis-baillot/) > [“They were all around him, half a dozen of them, white-faced children with dark eyes, boys and girls together. And in their hands, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/they-were-all-around-him-half-a-dozen-of-them-white-faced-children/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Think about it. He drinks poison. What kind of man drinks poison? She is the one who stabs herself with his dagger. The manly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fortier/think-about-it-he-drinks-poison-what-kind-of-man-drinks-poison-she-is/) [Anne Fortier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fortier/) > [Whatever part I'm playing, I always carry with me something that's been used by an illustrious predecessor. I'm a great believer in a touching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-sinden/whatever-part-i-m-playing-i-always-carry-with-me-something-that-s/) [Donald Sinden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-sinden/) > [John rose to his feet and apologized to Holiday. Her mom seethed. Her dad tried to talk to her seething mom. Holiday tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter/john-rose-to-his-feet-and-apologized-to-holiday-her-mom-seethed-her/) [C.C. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-hunter/) > [Having a large amount of leverage is like driving a car with a dagger on the steering wheel pointed at your heart. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/having-a-large-amount-of-leverage-is-like-driving-a-car-with-a-dagger/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I don't think these women are stupid. I think they're selling a personality that's very marketable: Wouldn't it be fun if we were all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reese-witherspoon/i-don-t-think-these-women-are-stupid-i-think-they-re-selling-a/) [Reese Witherspoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reese-witherspoon/) > [The hand that held the dagger has struck it into the back of its neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-hand-that-held-the-dagger-has-struck-it-into-the-back-of-its/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [When I was young, some women told me they loved me for my long eyelashes. I accepted. Later it was for my wit. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-was-young-some-women-told-me-they-loved-me-for-my-long/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The third mercenary—standing between Yrene and the mist—drew his short sword. Yrene didn’t have time to cry out in surprise or warning as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-third-mercenary-standing-between-yrene-and-the-mist-drew-his/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [I need to know you believe me when I say I love you. That is all." "I believe everything you say," Tessa said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-need-to-know-you-believe-me-when-i-say-i-love-you-that-is-all-i/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“The daggers of silence last longer than anything ever spoken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/the-daggers-of-silence-last-longer-than-anything-ever-spoken/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I want to keep sleeping, but the sun outside my window has other ideas: First blind her. Then jab her eyeballs with scorching-hot daggers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-friend/i-want-to-keep-sleeping-but-the-sun-outside-my-window-has-other-ideas/) [Natasha Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-friend/) > [I 'm weary of conjectures,-this must end 'em. 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What you got in return, however, saved your life: Once the pair of you were well acquainted, it became such a part of you that it was an extension of your own arm. It protected you and gave you a means to protect your brothers; it provided you with the confidnece and the power to face whatever came out of the night; and wherever you went, it stayed with you, right over your heart, always there when you needed it. You had to keep the blade up, however. And rewrap the hilt from time to time. And double-check the weight. Funny...all of that was well, duh when it came to weapons. Why hadn't it dawned on him that matings were the same? (From the thoughts of Vishous)”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.R. Ward" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he-made-in-his-forge-when-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Daggers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he-made-in-his-forge-when-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/j-r-ward-148_daggers_love-he-realized-was-like-the-daggers-he_573948.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Love, he realized, was like the daggers he made in his forge: When you first got one it was shiny and new…” — J.R. 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