Allowing Sexual Quote by Joe Hill
““But Terry doesn't touch her, won't touch her, never touches her. In a decade of knowing her, he has kept her at a friendly distance, even in his imagination, has never once considered allowing her into his sexual fantasies. There would be no harm in such a thing, yet he senses he would be placing something at risk all the same. What he would be placing at risk, he cannot say. To Terry the word "soul" first refers to a kind of music.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen, 1988
A man keeps emotional distance from a woman, fearing unknown risk, equating intimacy with exposing his soul, which he likens to music.
In simple terms: He avoids intimacy due to unseen fear, seeing soul as music.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and explore hidden fears before they limit connections.
Themes
fear
intimacy
self
protection
music
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- friendship boundaries
- self‑reflection
- creative expression
Key Concepts
psychology
attachment theory
identity
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden fear is preventing deeper intimacy?
- How can viewing the soul as music guide healthier relationships?
A Different Perspective
He may be over‑interpreting risk, limiting genuine connection.
![“Music [is] the third rail of life. You grabbed it to shock yourself out of the dull drag of hours. To feel something. To burn with all the emotions you didn't get to experience in the ordinary run of school, TV, and loading the dishwasher after dinner.” quote by Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/44b/joe-hill-1162_dinner_music-is-the-third-rail-of-life-you-grab_5424.jpg)
