--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems to work better than jabbing them…" description: "\"“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick,\" he said. \"Less fun.\" \"My jabbing arm is tired.”\" — Leigh Bardugo" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png" --- # It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick,"… ![“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png) > ““It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.”” [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He jokes that a less violent method works better but is less enjoyable, highlighting a trade‑off between efficiency and fun. **In simple terms:** More effective, less fun. Key Takeaway Balance efficiency with enjoyment. Themes efficiency humor trade‑offs Mood playful reflective Type humorous observational When to use this quote - gaming - product design - conflict resolution Key Concepts tool use human motivation Questions to Reflect On - Is effectiveness worth sacrificing pleasure? - How to make efficient methods enjoyable? A Different Perspective Less fun may reduce long‑term engagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alina-starkov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/) [Better Jabbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-jabbing-5560813/) [Fun Jabbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun-jabbing-5560815/) [Jabbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jabbing-1157539/) [Jabbing Arm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jabbing-arm-5560812/) [Jabbing Stick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jabbing-stick-5560814/) [Malyen-oretsev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malyen-oretsev-116846/) ## Related quotes > [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“We all die,” he said as he jogged off to retrieve his kill. “Not everyone dies for a reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/we-all-die-he-said-as-he-jogged-off-to-retrieve-his-kill-not-everyone/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I have loved you all my life, Mal,” I whispered through my tears. “There is no end to our story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-have-loved-you-all-my-life-mal-i-whispered-through-my-tears-there/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Soon I was spending all my time in the basement, and I had moved from taking things apart to putting new things together. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elder-robison/soon-i-was-spending-all-my-time-in-the-basement-and-i-had-moved-from/) [John Elder Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elder-robison/) > [“Oi, mate,” he said, jabbing his thick index finger square in the center of Richard's chest. “No need to get grabby, is there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacia-kane/oi-mate-he-said-jabbing-his-thick-index-finger-square-in-the-center/) [Stacia Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacia-kane/) > [“Look,” I said, my finger jabbing out to point at him. “I don’t like you. Jenks doesn’t like you. And Ivy wants to eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/look-i-said-my-finger-jabbing-out-to-point-at-him-i-don-t-like-you/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [“This is not a good time, Miss Implant." Roman felt Jean-Luc jabbing him in the back with his walking stick. "Uh, Porky. No, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/this-is-not-a-good-time-miss-implant-roman-felt-jean-luc-jabbing-him/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“He got in my face and started jabbing a finger into my chest. “Then we don’t want your help, if this is what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lish-mcbride/he-got-in-my-face-and-started-jabbing-a-finger-into-my-chest-then-we/) [Lish McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lish-mcbride/) ## More by Leigh Bardugo > [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More Alina-starkov quotes > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otkazat-sya-is-it-because-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/wretched-boy-you-like-him-i-said-in-disbelief-baghra-scowled-greedy/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-privateer-learns-to-press-any-advantage-and-a-prince-princes-get/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sorry-i-mumbled-maybe-you-re-hungry-said-zoya-i-always-get-mean-when/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“THE SERVANTS CALLED them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-servants-called-them-malenchki-little-ghosts-because-they-were/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/like-the-teachers-at-the-duke-s-estate-the-priest-thought-he-knew-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I'm the Sun Summoner. It gets dark when I say it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-m-the-sun-summoner-it-gets-dark-when-i-say-it-does/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I told them you hate herring.” “Why?” “And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-told-them-you-hate-herring-why-and-that-you-love-plum-cake-and-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/just-be-careful-i-stared-at-her-baffled-of-what-of-powerful-men/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-seen-what-you-truly-are-said-the-darkling-and-i-ve-never-turned/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Browse all 37 Alina-starkov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick,\" he said. \"Less fun.\" \"My jabbing arm is tired.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leigh Bardugo" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alina-starkov" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-the_702891.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick,\" he said. \"Less fun.\" \"My jabbing arm is tired.” — Leigh Bardugo", "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": "Leigh Bardugo", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It seems to work better than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/#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 } } ] } ```