--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try not to be cruel, just persistent…" description: "\"“I try not to be cruel, just persistent. There are days when the difference is pretty damn slight.”\" — Laurell K. Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/laurell-k-hamilton-199_slight_i-try-not-to-be-cruel-just-persistent-th_2728513.png" --- # I try not to be cruel, just persistent. There are days… ![“I try not to be cruel, just persistent. There are days when the difference is pretty damn slight.” quote by Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/laurell-k-hamilton-199_slight_i-try-not-to-be-cruel-just-persistent-th_2728513.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/laurell-k-hamilton-199_slight_i-try-not-to-be-cruel-just-persistent-th_2728513.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/laurell-k-hamilton-199_slight_i-try-not-to-be-cruel-just-persistent-th_2728513.png) > ““I try not to be cruel, just persistent. There are days when the difference is pretty damn slight.”” [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Persistence can replace cruelty; small differences can matter greatly in outcomes. **In simple terms:** Being steady beats being harsh; tiny gaps matter. Key Takeaway Choose steady effort over harshness. Themes persistence kindness impact ethics Mood reflective determined Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - conflict resolution - leadership - daily interactions Key Concepts moral choice incremental effect Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance persistence with compassion? - When does persistence become harmful? A Different Perspective Even small cruelty can cause lasting harm if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Damn Slight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damn-slight-2936553/) [Just Persistent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-persistent-1922869/) [Persistent Days](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistent-days-2936552/) [Slight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slight/) [Try Cruel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-cruel-2936554/) ## Related quotes > [You ought to try being cruel to some people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-judge/you-ought-to-try-being-cruel-to-some-people/) [Mike Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-judge/) > [I decided a long time ago that I didn't have to be talented. I just had to be persistent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/i-decided-a-long-time-ago-that-i-didn-t-have-to-be-talented-i-just/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [“You don't have to be perfect…just persistent!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy-iii/you-don-t-have-to-be-perfect-just-persistent/) [Robert Kennedy III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy-iii/) > [A lot of the guys worry about their form. For me, it is just about being persistent and patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shikhar-dhawan/a-lot-of-the-guys-worry-about-their-form-for-me-it-is-just-about/) [Shikhar Dhawan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shikhar-dhawan/) > [I have a slight controversy with the Dogme brethren because I've been saying that rules are to be interpreted; not that I haven't followed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanne-bier/i-have-a-slight-controversy-with-the-dogme-brethren-because-i-ve-been/) [Susanne Bier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanne-bier/) > [To slight a single human being, is to slight those divine powers and thus to harm not only that being but with him, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/to-slight-a-single-human-being-is-to-slight-those-divine-powers-and/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [If you look at any leaf on any tree branch, it's similar to but not exactly a repetition of the previous branch. So the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-jencks/if-you-look-at-any-leaf-on-any-tree-branch-it-s-similar-to-but-not/) [Charles Jencks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-jencks/) > [It is true that I do not wear shoes as the host of 'Bunk.' I want 'Bunk' to feel like there's a slight possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-braunohler/it-is-true-that-i-do-not-wear-shoes-as-the-host-of-bunk-i-want-bunk/) [Kurt Braunohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-braunohler/) > [Twere too absurd to slight For the hereafter the todays delight!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/twere-too-absurd-to-slight-for-the-hereafter-the-todays-delight/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [There will always be a slight difference between the reel and the real. Even my family might know 99 per cent about me, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vidya-balan/there-will-always-be-a-slight-difference-between-the-reel-and-the/) [Vidya Balan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vidya-balan/) > [A slight change of plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bedazzled/a-slight-change-of-plans/) [Bedazzled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bedazzled/) > [Slight small injuries, and they will become none at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/slight-small-injuries-and-they-will-become-none-at-all/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [“I have a slight oral fixation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-james/i-have-a-slight-oral-fixation/) [Julie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-james/) > [Obama's policies have been approximately the same as Bush's, though there have been some slight differences, but that's not a great surprise. The Democrats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/obama-s-policies-have-been-approximately-the-same-as-bush-s-though/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [A face is too slight a foundation for happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/a-face-is-too-slight-a-foundation-for-happiness/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) ## More by Laurell K. Hamilton > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [So many wonderful books to write, and not enough hours in the day. An embarrassment of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/so-many-wonderful-books-to-write-and-not-enough-hours-in-the-day-an/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Money doesn't spend in hell… The devil deals in a different coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/money-doesn-t-spend-in-hell-the-devil-deals-in-a-different-coin/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [There comes a point when you either embrace who and what you are, or condemn yourself to be miserable all your days. Other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/there-comes-a-point-when-you-either-embrace-who-and-what-you-are-or/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I slowed, just a little, one to save energy, and one to let Russell catch up sooner. I took a big breath and prepared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-slowed-just-a-little-one-to-save-energy-and-one-to-let-russell/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I know that look, Blake. You are a drowning woman, and the only way out is down the aisle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-know-that-look-blake-you-are-a-drowning-woman-and-the-only-way-out/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Just another day in my life. This was one of those days when I thought that maybe a new life, a different life, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/just-another-day-in-my-life-this-was-one-of-those-days-when-i-thought/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“What is that old children’s rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’? Anyone who says that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/what-is-that-old-children-s-rhyme-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [...you don't need ghosts to be haunted. Memory does that just fine without any supernatural help at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/you-don-t-need-ghosts-to-be-haunted-memory-does-that-just-fine/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I hated missing the end of anything. I was always convinced that the bit I'd miss would be the best part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-hated-missing-the-end-of-anything-i-was-always-convinced-that-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He made a small sigh, as he swallowed the first blood, then his mouth closed over my earlobe, mouth working at the wound, tongue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-made-a-small-sigh-as-he-swallowed-the-first-blood-then-his-mouth/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He gave a small nod, and I smiled back, and that was it. He understood that I'd understood that he'd understood. It took us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-gave-a-small-nod-and-i-smiled-back-and-that-was-it-he-understood/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [ \[T\]hese last few days where I've moped around damn near depressed for real, because of people who do not exist. Not really. I can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/t-hese-last-few-days-where-i-ve-moped-around-damn-near-depressed-for/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) [Explore all 921 Laurell K. Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More Slight quotes > [A face is too slight a foundation for happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/a-face-is-too-slight-a-foundation-for-happiness/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) > [Obama's policies have been approximately the same as Bush's, though there have been some slight differences, but that's not a great surprise. The Democrats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/obama-s-policies-have-been-approximately-the-same-as-bush-s-though/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“I have a slight oral fixation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-james/i-have-a-slight-oral-fixation/) [Julie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-james/) > [Slight small injuries, and they will become none at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/slight-small-injuries-and-they-will-become-none-at-all/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [A slight change of plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bedazzled/a-slight-change-of-plans/) [Bedazzled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bedazzled/) > [There will always be a slight difference between the reel and the real. Even my family might know 99 per cent about me, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vidya-balan/there-will-always-be-a-slight-difference-between-the-reel-and-the/) [Vidya Balan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vidya-balan/) > [Twere too absurd to slight For the hereafter the todays delight!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/twere-too-absurd-to-slight-for-the-hereafter-the-todays-delight/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [It is true that I do not wear shoes as the host of 'Bunk.' I want 'Bunk' to feel like there's a slight possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-braunohler/it-is-true-that-i-do-not-wear-shoes-as-the-host-of-bunk-i-want-bunk/) [Kurt Braunohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-braunohler/) > [If you look at any leaf on any tree branch, it's similar to but not exactly a repetition of the previous branch. So the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-jencks/if-you-look-at-any-leaf-on-any-tree-branch-it-s-similar-to-but-not/) [Charles Jencks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-jencks/) > [To slight a single human being, is to slight those divine powers and thus to harm not only that being but with him, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/to-slight-a-single-human-being-is-to-slight-those-divine-powers-and/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I have a slight controversy with the Dogme brethren because I've been saying that rules are to be interpreted; not that I haven't followed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanne-bier/i-have-a-slight-controversy-with-the-dogme-brethren-because-i-ve-been/) [Susanne Bier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanne-bier/) > [We don't want to miss anybody or slight anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-anderson/we-don-t-want-to-miss-anybody-or-slight-anybody/) [Bob Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-anderson/) > [The English prison system is altogether mediaeval and outworn. In some of its details, the system has improved since they began to send the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmeline-pankhurst/the-english-prison-system-is-altogether-mediaeval-and-outworn-in-some/) [Emmeline Pankhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmeline-pankhurst/) > [Well, I also love magic, which is, you know, different than showmanship. Magic's an art where you use slight of hand or illusion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blaine/well-i-also-love-magic-which-is-you-know-different-than-showmanship/) [David Blaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blaine/) > [A slight failing in one virtue is enough to put all the others to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/a-slight-failing-in-one-virtue-is-enough-to-put-all-the-others-to/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) [Browse all 94 Slight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slight/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I try not to be cruel, just persistent. There are days when the difference is pretty damn slight.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurell K. 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