--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As he’d thought, and as he’d always…" description: "\"“As he’d thought, and as he’d always known, Henry and Vivian were better suited for each other. But better is not best, and though he was angry— and hu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/nelson-demille-3019_told-vivian_as-he-d-thought-and-as-he-d-always-known_2427735.jpg" --- # As he’d thought, and as he’d always known, Henry and… ![“As he’d thought, and as he’d always known, Henry and Vivian were better suited for each other. But better is not best, and though he was angry— and hurt— he was also concerned about Vivian. He still liked Henry, but not as much as Henry liked himself. He would have told Vivian this— as a friend…” quote by Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/nelson-demille-3019_told-vivian_as-he-d-thought-and-as-he-d-always-known_2427735.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/nelson-demille-3019_told-vivian_as-he-d-thought-and-as-he-d-always-known_2427735.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/nelson-demille-3019_told-vivian_as-he-d-thought-and-as-he-d-always-known_2427735.jpg) > ““As he’d thought, and as he’d always known, Henry and Vivian were better suited for each other. But better is not best, and though he was angry— and hurt— he was also concerned about Vivian. He still liked Henry, but not as much as Henry liked himself. He would have told Vivian this— as a friend— but she might think it was coming from a jealous ex-lover. So he wasn’t going to say anything now.”” [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man recognizes a relationship is good but not ideal, and his personal feelings prevent him from speaking his mind. **In simple terms:** He sees a decent match but keeps silent due to jealousy and concern. Key Takeaway Consider honesty versus protecting relationships. Themes relationships jealousy communication self‑esteem Mood reflective conflicted Type advice literary When to use this quote - friendship advice - romantic counseling - conflict resolution Key Concepts interpersonal dynamics emotional conflict social perception Questions to Reflect On - Is honesty always the best policy? - When should personal feelings be set aside? A Different Perspective Silence may preserve peace but can also breed resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Henry liked fun and avoided when he could any solemn or serious matter, for he confused these with sorrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/henry-liked-fun-and-avoided-when-he-could-any-solemn-or-serious/) [john steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I knew you liked him," Henry said. "Ever since he tied your tie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-nichols/i-knew-you-liked-him-henry-said-ever-since-he-tied-your-tie/) [Lee Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-nichols/) ## More by Nelson DeMille > [“survived one trip into”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/survived-one-trip-into/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [The meaning of life has not much to do with good and evil, right and wrong, duty, honor, country, or any of that. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-meaning-of-life-has-not-much-to-do-with-good-and-evil-right-and/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Nostalgia is basically the ability to forget the things that sucked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/nostalgia-is-basically-the-ability-to-forget-the-things-that-sucked/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Credo quia impossibile.’ I believe it because it is impossible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/credo-quia-impossibile-i-believe-it-because-it-is-impossible/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [I had a very strong desire to be successful at something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-had-a-very-strong-desire-to-be-successful-at-something/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“The window on the right featured contemporary bestselling authors like Brad Meltzer, James Patterson, David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, and others who make more money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-window-on-the-right-featured-contemporary-bestselling-authors/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [...the most common cause of death among alpha males was ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-most-common-cause-of-death-among-alpha-males-was-ego/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [Lawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/lawrence-kelter-is-an-exciting-new-novelist-who-reminds-me-of-an/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“I was starting to get to know the city, and when that happens in a screwed-up place, it’s time to leave.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-was-starting-to-get-to-know-the-city-and-when-that-happens-in-a/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Before you go on any mission, you need to understand what you know, identify what you don’t know, and try to guess what could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/before-you-go-on-any-mission-you-need-to-understand-what-you-know/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“An Englishman once said that he found it easier to be a member of a club than of the human race because the bylaws…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/an-englishman-once-said-that-he-found-it-easier-to-be-a-member-of-a/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [I like the process of pencil and paper as opposed to a machine. I think the writing is better when it's done in handwriting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-like-the-process-of-pencil-and-paper-as-opposed-to-a-machine-i/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [There are a lot of books about the passing of the English aristocracy, but the vast majority of Long Islanders don't understand their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/there-are-a-lot-of-books-about-the-passing-of-the-english-aristocracy/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“and some other shit, and the wife—can’t remember her name—would cry a lot. The kids were young. Three of them. 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