--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But then, that was the trouble with…" description: "\"But then, that was the trouble with relationships generally. They had their own temperature and there was no thermostat.\" — Nick Hornby" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/nick-hornby-325_relationships_but-then-that-was-the-trouble-with-relat_2436536.png" --- # But then, that was the trouble with relationships… ![“But then, that was the trouble with relationships generally. They had their own temperature and there was no thermostat.” quote by Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/nick-hornby-325_relationships_but-then-that-was-the-trouble-with-relat_2436536.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/nick-hornby-325_relationships_but-then-that-was-the-trouble-with-relat_2436536.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/nick-hornby-325_relationships_but-then-that-was-the-trouble-with-relat_2436536.png) > “But then, that was the trouble with relationships generally. They had their own temperature and there was no thermostat.” [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relationships lack a universal standard, making them unpredictable and requiring personal adjustment. **In simple terms:** Relationships have no set rules. Key Takeaway Accept each relationship’s unique dynamics. Themes relationships unpredictability personal growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type observational analytical When to use this quote - dating - friendship - family dynamics Key Concepts emotional intelligence adaptability Questions to Reflect On - How do you adapt when a partner’s needs differ from yours? - What personal boundaries help maintain balance? A Different Perspective Assuming a thermostat exists can oversimplify complex human needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) ## Related quotes > [There are two different types of leader. A person can either be like a thermometer or a thermostat. 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What's happened?" Nothing's happened. I've had a bad week in my head, is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-ve-had-a-bad-week-what-s-happened-nothing-s-happened-i-ve-had-a-bad/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“When they – I cannot bring myself to use the first-person plural in this instance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/when-they-i-cannot-bring-myself-to-use-the-first-person-plural-in/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“What you don't ever catch a glimpse of on your wedding day - because how could you? - is that some days you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/what-you-don-t-ever-catch-a-glimpse-of-on-your-wedding-day-because/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You've got to kick off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/a-good-compilation-tape-like-breaking-up-is-hard-to-do-and-takes-ages/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [I'm still not a very good white wine, but I'm drinkable - you could put me in a punch, anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-m-still-not-a-very-good-white-wine-but-i-m-drinkable-you-could-put/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [I never mind the accusations of domesticity, as long as people recognise that all of us, even the luckiest, will live lives in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-never-mind-the-accusations-of-domesticity-as-long-as-people/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [I wasted the 1980s. I wasted every minute at Cambridge talking to people who knew more about music than I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-wasted-the-1980s-i-wasted-every-minute-at-cambridge-talking-to/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“I took her outside on to a little roof terrace that looked like it never got the sun at nay time of the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-took-her-outside-on-to-a-little-roof-terrace-that-looked-like-it/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“I feel as though I have been having conversations like this all my life. None of us is young anymore, but what has just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-feel-as-though-i-have-been-having-conversations-like-this-all-my/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“I'm OK. Really. I can find people. I'll be all right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-m-ok-really-i-can-find-people-i-ll-be-all-right/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“Read any women's magazine and you'll see the same complaint over and over again: men - those little boys ten or twenty or thirty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/read-any-women-s-magazine-and-you-ll-see-the-same-complaint-over-and/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“Defansçılar her zaman forvetçilerden daha iyi analizcilerdir.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/defans-lar-her-zaman-forvet-ilerden-daha-iyi-analizcilerdir/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [On New Year's Eve he ould make a resolution to recover some his previous scepticism, but until then he would do as the Romans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/on-new-year-s-eve-he-ould-make-a-resolution-to-recover-some-his/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [It's no good looking to writers for definitions of what constitutes proper writing, because you will drive yourself crazy, and you won't find anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/it-s-no-good-looking-to-writers-for-definitions-of-what-constitutes/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) [Explore all 645 Nick Hornby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) ## More Relationships quotes > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. 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A real one. And not all of it is with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-north-patterson/i-have-a-life-a-real-one-and-not-all-of-it-is-with-you/) [Richard North Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-north-patterson/) > [“Your relationship with your brother will be, in many ways, the most complex and bewildering of all the interpersonal connections you will form. 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