--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Actually we did not have the feelings we…" description: "\"Actually we did not have the feelings we said we had until we spoke them--at least I didn't; to phrase them was to invent them and own them.\" — Philip ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f65/philip-roth-681_feelings_actually-we-did-not-have-the-feelings-we_1200115.jpg" --- # Actually we did not have the feelings we said we had until… ![“Actually we did not have the feelings we said we had until we spoke them--at least I didn't; to phrase them was to invent them and own them.” quote by Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f65/philip-roth-681_feelings_actually-we-did-not-have-the-feelings-we_1200115.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f65/philip-roth-681_feelings_actually-we-did-not-have-the-feelings-we_1200115.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f65/philip-roth-681_feelings_actually-we-did-not-have-the-feelings-we_1200115.jpg) > “Actually we did not have the feelings we said we had until we spoke them--at least I didn't; to phrase them was to invent them and own them.” [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Feelings become real only when articulated, turning them into owned experiences. **In simple terms:** Speaking feelings creates them. Key Takeaway Express emotions to own them. Themes creativity self-awareness expression Mood introspective thoughtful Type literary psychological When to use this quote - therapy - writing - personal growth Key Concepts psychology literature Questions to Reflect On - What emotions have you discovered by naming them? - How does naming affect ownership? A Different Perspective Words can distort original feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Did Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/did-feelings-2153587/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feelings Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-said-660676/) [Phrase Invent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrase-invent-3596192/) [Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Spoke Didn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spoke-didn-623444/) [Spokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spokes/) ## Related quotes > [“Rufus didn’t pay any attention to the voice back then. 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The English language is a form of communication! Conversation isn't just crossfire where you shoot and get shot at! Where you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/my-god-the-english-language-is-a-form-of-communication-conversation/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [You asked if I thought my fiction had changed anything in the culture and the answer is no. 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