--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She was past present future. I wanted to…" description: "\"“She was past present future. I wanted to answer, but I was broken.”\" — Maggie Stiefvater" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/maggie-stiefvater-76_broken_she-was-past-present-future-i-wanted-to_2517639.png" --- # She was past present future. I wanted to answer, but I was… ![“She was past present future. I wanted to answer, but I was broken.” quote by Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/maggie-stiefvater-76_broken_she-was-past-present-future-i-wanted-to_2517639.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/maggie-stiefvater-76_broken_she-was-past-present-future-i-wanted-to_2517639.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/maggie-stiefvater-76_broken_she-was-past-present-future-i-wanted-to_2517639.png) > ““She was past present future. I wanted to answer, but I was broken.”” [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character feels trapped by time, unable to respond because of emotional damage. **In simple terms:** Feeling stuck and unable to act due to brokenness. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and heal emotional wounds. Themes identity time emotional trauma Mood melancholic introspective Type literary emotional When to use this quote - personal reflection - creative writing - therapy sessions Key Concepts psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What prevents you from answering your inner call? - How can you repair a broken sense of self? A Different Perspective Healing may require external support beyond self‑reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Answer Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answer-broken-1218052/) [Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) [Past present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-present/) [Past present future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-present-future/) [Present future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-future/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wanted Answer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-answer-1142760/) ## Related quotes > [“Sam: I wanted to answer, but I was broken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/sam-i-wanted-to-answer-but-i-was-broken/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [I realized that every moment in all our lives - past, present, future, known, unknown, and unknowable - exist simultaneously, as though outside of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-moorjani/i-realized-that-every-moment-in-all-our-lives-past-present-future/) [Anita Moorjani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-moorjani/) > [Let the dead Past bury its dead!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/let-the-dead-past-bury-its-dead/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat the eleventh grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-w-loewen/those-who-don-t-remember-the-past-are-condemned-to-repeat-the/) [James W. Loewen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-w-loewen/) > [The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time. The best thing about the future is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-acheson/the-best-thing-about-the-future-is-that-it-comes-only-one-day-at-a/) [Dean Acheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-acheson/) > [Her mind was all disorder. The past, present, future, every thing was terrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/her-mind-was-all-disorder-the-past-present-future-every-thing-was/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [There has been a great misunderstanding between life and time. Time is thought to be consisting of three tenses: past, present, future which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-has-been-a-great-misunderstanding-between-life-and-time-time-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Past, present, future: a collusion to perpetuate a delusion for the sake of an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-alejandro-king-aka-the-covert-comic/past-present-future-a-collusion-to-perpetuate-a-delusion-for-the-sake/) [John Alejandro King Aka The Covert Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king-aka-the-covert-comic/) > [Our true heroes don't act, sing, or play sports. They protect America's freedom. Happy Veterans Day to our military. Past, present, future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-true-heroes-don-t-act-sing-or-play-sports-they-protect-america-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Yog-Sothoth knows the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the key and guardian of the gate. Past, present, future, all are one in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/yog-sothoth-knows-the-gate-yog-sothoth-is-the-gate-yog-sothoth-is-the/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [“ ‘You are your” “Past, Present,” “& Future,’ he said” ” ‘You divide into” “those components” “in this room’ ” ” ‘But I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-notley/you-are-your-past-present-future-he-said-you-divide-into-those/) [Alice Notley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-notley/) > [One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/one-of-the-most-tragic-things-i-know-about-human-nature-is-that-all-2/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [The WWE universe finally demanded that the girls get the attention that they deserve. I think women past, present, future, should forever be grateful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-mccool/the-wwe-universe-finally-demanded-that-the-girls-get-the-attention/) [Michelle McCool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-mccool/) > [“Mappo frowned. 'I have not heard that phrase before. Lost Elementals?' 'Scholars tend to acknowledge but four, generally: water, fire, earth and air; yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/mappo-frowned-i-have-not-heard-that-phrase-before-lost-elementals/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“You are my best Past,present & future”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiran-joshi/you-are-my-best-past-present-future/) [Kiran Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiran-joshi/) ## More by Maggie Stiefvater > [Sam reached his hand toward mine and I automatically put my fingers in his. With a guilty little smile he pulled my hand toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/sam-reached-his-hand-toward-mine-and-i-automatically-put-my-fingers/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“Once upon a time, there lived a boy, and he had to risk everything to keep what he loved. But really the story was:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/once-upon-a-time-there-lived-a-boy-and-he-had-to-risk-everything-to/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [I think-I need to ask an embarrassing question. Do you think I could borrow a pair of scrubs? I-uh-my pants-" "Oh!" Cried the poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-think-i-need-to-ask-an-embarrassing-question-do-you-think-i-could/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [We dance, we dance. You hold the thread of my soul. You spin, you spin. And you unravel the part from the whole. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/we-dance-we-dance-you-hold-the-thread-of-my-soul-you-spin-you-spin/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [It was the way she felt when she looked at the stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/it-was-the-way-she-felt-when-she-looked-at-the-stars/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Mum once told Dad that vices are only vices when looked at through the frame of society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/mum-once-told-dad-that-vices-are-only-vices-when-looked-at-through/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“Why'd she leave so early? It's practically yesterday.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/why-d-she-leave-so-early-it-s-practically-yesterday/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [How long it takes us, each day, to know each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/how-long-it-takes-us-each-day-to-know-each-other/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“At least when he was at Aglionby he could turn over his papers to see the grades, concrete proof of his success at something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/at-least-when-he-was-at-aglionby-he-could-turn-over-his-papers-to-see/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [I'll cook the water...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-ll-cook-the-water/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“That's the one." In Puck Connolly's custody. That might be the last I see of that jacket.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/that-s-the-one-in-puck-connolly-s-custody-that-might-be-the-last-i/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“I asked,”Are you going to pick up next time I call you?” ”I did this time didn’t I?” “Say yes.” “Yes. Conditionally yes.”…... …”What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-asked-are-you-going-to-pick-up-next-time-i-call-you-i-did-this-time/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Tell me what it's like. The race." "What it's like is a battle. A mess of horses and men and blood. The fastest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/tell-me-what-it-s-like-the-race-what-it-s-like-is-a-battle-a-mess-of/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“I felt a tickle on my skin; it took me a moment to realize that Cole was driving his die-cast Mustang up my arm.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-felt-a-tickle-on-my-skin-it-took-me-a-moment-to-realize-that-cole/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Happiness isn't something this island yields easily; the ground is too rocky and the sun too sparse for it to flourish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/happiness-isn-t-something-this-island-yields-easily-the-ground-is-too/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) [Explore all 1,564 Maggie Stiefvater quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) ## More Broken quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. 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I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Marriage is a desperate thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/marriage-is-a-desperate-thing/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [The child who ran weeping to you with a cut finger is now brought home, smiling gamely, with a broken collarbone and incredible contusions-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/the-child-who-ran-weeping-to-you-with-a-cut-finger-is-now-brought/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [There is no pain like the first time you get your heart broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ne-yo/there-is-no-pain-like-the-first-time-you-get-your-heart-broken/) [Ne-Yo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ne-yo/) > [Broken china lasts longer than unbroken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-renard/broken-china-lasts-longer-than-unbroken/) [Jules Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-renard/) > [My life was incoherent to me. I felt it quivering, spitting out broken teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-fox/my-life-was-incoherent-to-me-i-felt-it-quivering-spitting-out-broken/) [Paula Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-fox/) > [Don't fix what's not broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-atkins/don-t-fix-what-s-not-broken/) [Robert Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-atkins/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Your head's like mine, like all our heads; big enough to contain every god and devil there ever was. Big enough to hold the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-morrison/your-head-s-like-mine-like-all-our-heads-big-enough-to-contain-every/) [Grant Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-morrison/) > [Rome, believe me, my friend, is like its own Monte Testaceo, Merelya marvellous mass of broken and castaway wine-pots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hugh-clough/rome-believe-me-my-friend-is-like-its-own-monte-testaceo-merelya/) [Arthur Hugh Clough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hugh-clough/) > [Its funny how someone breaks your heart but you still love them with all those broken pieces..!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-funny-how-someone-breaks-your-heart-but-you-still-love-them-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we don't get what we want, there's a legitimate grieving, and then the spiritual journey truly begins, because not getting what we want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nepo/when-we-don-t-get-what-we-want-there-s-a-legitimate-grieving-and-then/) [Mark Nepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nepo/) [Browse all 5,851 Broken quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She was past present future. 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