--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sticks and stones may break our bones…" description: "\"“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts”\" — Robert Fulghum" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png" --- # Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will… ![“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts” quote by Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png) > ““Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts”” [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Words can cause deep emotional pain, often more lasting than physical injury. **In simple terms:** Emotional impact of language Key Takeaway Language can wound deeply Themes emotional harm communication psychology vulnerability impact of speech Mood somber reflective cautious Type proverb advice cautionary When to use this quote - conflict resolution - bullying prevention - relationship counseling - public speaking - media criticism Key Concepts psychological trauma interpersonal dynamics social influence Practical Applications - mental health awareness - anti-bullying campaigns Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when words hurt you? - What strategies can mitigate emotional damage from speech? A Different Perspective Physical injuries can also have profound emotional consequences, so both forms of harm deserve attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sticks and stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sticks-and-stones/) ## Related quotes > [Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will break our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-will-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can break hearts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/sticks-and-stones-may-break-your-bones-but-words-can-break-hearts/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will break my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-lopez/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-will-break-my-soul/) Kathryn Lopez > [Sticks and stones may break my bones but words are what will kill me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-are-what-will-kill-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will make me go in a corner and cry by myself for hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-idle/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-will-make-me-go-in-a/) [Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-idle/) > [“Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me unless they are written on sticks and stones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nitya-prakash/sticks-and-stones-can-break-my-bones-but-words-can-never-hurt-me/) [Nitya Prakash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nitya-prakash/) > [Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can make me think I deserved it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-munroe/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-make-me-think-i/) [Randall Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-munroe/) > [“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words have the power to destroy me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-messe/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-have-the-power-to/) [Ellie Messe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-messe/) > [sticks and stones can only break bones; but words can shatter the soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-savage/sticks-and-stones-can-only-break-bones-but-words-can-shatter-the-soul/) [Adam Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-savage/) > [Sticks and stones may break my bones but words may never hurt me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-may-never-hurt-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The old saw that "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never harm me" does not, in fact, hold true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-spence/the-old-saw-that-sticks-and-stones-can-break-my-bones-but-words-will/) [Gerry Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-spence/) > [“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always hurt me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-will-always-hurt-me-2/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [“Sticks and stones will break your bones, but now words can kill, too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/sticks-and-stones-will-break-your-bones-but-now-words-can-kill-too/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will make me cry by myself in a corner for hours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-idle/sticks-and-stones-will-break-my-bones-but-words-will-make-me-cry-by/) [Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-idle/) > [Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can do much worse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madi/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-do-much-worse/) [Madi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madi/) ## More by Robert Fulghum > [to understand our love they'd have to turn the world upside down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/to-understand-our-love-they-d-have-to-turn-the-world-upside-down/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/what-does-it-profit-a-man-if-he-gains-the-whole-world-and-loses-his/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Life is. I am. Anything might happen. And I believe I may invest my life with meaning. The uncertainty is a blessing in disguise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/life-is-i-am-anything-might-happen-and-i-believe-i-may-invest-my-life/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Weddings seem to be magnets for mishap and for whatever craziness lurks in family closets. In more ways than one, weddings bring out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/weddings-seem-to-be-magnets-for-mishap-and-for-whatever-craziness/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [I don't think there is a hidden purpose to the universe that you have to puzzle out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/i-don-t-think-there-is-a-hidden-purpose-to-the-universe-that-you-have/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [The name is not important anymore - it's the tone that counts. I feel like an old dog I know. He will come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/the-name-is-not-important-anymore-it-s-the-tone-that-counts-i-feel/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“Nobody goes "AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" when they sing it. Maybe because it puts the life adventure in such clear and simple terms. The small creature is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/nobody-goes-aaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhhh-when-they-sing-it-maybe-because/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there at the sandpile at Sunday School.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/wisdom-was-not-at-the-top-of-the-graduate-school-mountain-but-there/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [You are free to give life meaning, whatever meaning you want to give it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/you-are-free-to-give-life-meaning-whatever-meaning-you-want-to-give-it/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [If we could just figure out how to have more fun at it, maybe more of us would join the ranks of those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-we-could-just-figure-out-how-to-have-more-fun-at-it-maybe-more-of/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." This paying-attention gives meaning to my life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sometimes-during-the-day-i-consciously-focus-on-some-ordinary-object/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten. Share everything ... Don't hit people ... Clean up your own mess ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/all-i-ever-needed-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten-share-everything/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [No. I was an only child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/no-i-was-an-only-child/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [You feel like an ant contemplating Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/you-feel-like-an-ant-contemplating-chicago/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Life is. I am. Anything might happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/life-is-i-am-anything-might-happen/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) [Explore all 206 Robert Fulghum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) ## More Sticks and stones quotes > [“They call it a “Whippoorwill” because the call it makes sounds exactly like it’s saying “WHIPPOOR-WILLL,” but in a whistle. Oh it doesn’t stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-rohrig/they-call-it-a-whippoorwill-because-the-call-it-makes-sounds-exactly/) [Kyle Rohrig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-rohrig/) > [Colin thought about the dork mantra: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. What a dirty lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/colin-thought-about-the-dork-mantra-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“What is that old children’s rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’? Anyone who says that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/what-is-that-old-children-s-rhyme-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Trust the one Who's been where you are wishing all it was Was sticks and stones Those words cut deep but they don't mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-hayes/trust-the-one-who-s-been-where-you-are-wishing-all-it-was-was-sticks/) [Hunter Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-hayes/) > [My parents said sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you. But I always felt a sense of exhilaration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-franti/my-parents-said-sticks-and-stones-will-break-your-bones-but-names/) [Michael Franti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-franti/) > [“Sticks and stones will break your bones, but failure will get you killed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/sticks-and-stones-will-break-your-bones-but-failure-will-get-you/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I'm not the only kid who grew up this way, surrounded by people who used to say that rhyme about sticks and stones, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-koyczan/i-m-not-the-only-kid-who-grew-up-this-way-surrounded-by-people-who/) [Shane Koyczan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-koyczan/) > [I felt bad about myself because certain people were relentlessly attacking me and my reputation. My mom kept saying 'Let it go, Lauren, It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-conrad/i-felt-bad-about-myself-because-certain-people-were-relentlessly/) [Lauren Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-conrad/) > [..and only sticks and stones can break my bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-haddon/and-only-sticks-and-stones-can-break-my-bones/) [Mark Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-haddon/) > [“Sticks and stones are hard on bones, Aimed with angry art, Words can sting like anything But silence breaks the heart.’ Phyllis McGinley, "Ballade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilliana-anderson/sticks-and-stones-are-hard-on-bones-aimed-with-angry-art-words-can/) [Lilliana Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilliana-anderson/) > [“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but I might be a vampire so I don't give a shit. I'll heal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-i-might-be-a-vampire-so-i/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [“Sticks and stones may break my bones’, as they say in the Middle Worlds, but with the right words you can build a world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-harris/sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-as-they-say-in-the-middle-worlds/) [Joanne Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-harris/) > [A liar is one of the nastiest people on the face of the earth. Whoever said sticks and stones may break my bones, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-p/a-liar-is-one-of-the-nastiest-people-on-the-face-of-the-earth-whoever/) Donna P > [Now sticks 'n' stones'll break ya bones, a little tokin' never hurt no one. Let's toke, toke, toke about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/now-sticks-n-stones-ll-break-ya-bones-a-little-tokin-never-hurt-no/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [“Machines and relatives get most of the yelling. But never trees. As for people, well, the Solomon islanders may have a point. Yelling at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/machines-and-relatives-get-most-of-the-yelling-but-never-trees-as-for/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) [Browse all 166 Sticks and stones quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sticks-and-stones/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Fulghum" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Sticks and stones" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-fulghum-1807_sticks-and-stones_sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-bu_71590.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts” — Robert Fulghum", "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": "Robert Fulghum", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Sticks and stones may break our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/#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 } } ] } ```