---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You almost threw it back!' she repeated…"
description: "\"“You almost threw it back!' she repeated, and her voice filled with mock horror. 'You foolish boy! Are you always so careless with items of value?' 'No..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg"
---

#  You almost threw it back!' she repeated, and her voice…

![“You almost threw it back!' she repeated, and her voice filled with mock horror. 'You foolish boy! Are you always so careless with items of value?' 'No,' he said, abruptly sober. 'I know what matters. And I never throw those things away. I hold on to them as long as I can.” quote by Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg)

> ““You almost threw it back!' she repeated, and her voice filled with mock horror. 'You foolish boy! Are you always so careless with items of value?' 'No,' he said, abruptly sober. 'I know what matters. And I never throw those things away. I hold on to them as long as I can.””

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker values personal mementos over material worth, emphasizing emotional attachment and memory preservation.

**In simple terms:** He keeps things that matter to him, not just valuable items.

Key Takeaway

Cherish memories, not just possessions.

Themes

memory attachment value carelessness

Mood

nostalgic reflective

Type

literary character

When to use this quote

- family heirlooms
- personal journals
- kept mementos
- sentimental gifts

Key Concepts

sentimentality materialism identity

Questions to Reflect On

- What items do you keep for emotional reasons?
- How can you balance memory with letting go?

A Different Perspective

May cling to objects that hinder growth or change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abruptly Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abruptly-sober-4882546/) [Careless Items](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careless-items-4882547/) [Important things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-things/) [Said Abruptly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-abruptly-642020/) [Threw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threw/) [Threw Repeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threw-repeated-4882545/) [Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value/)

## Related quotes

> [“You don’t owe me anything.” “Yes, I fucking do,” he said abruptly. “Whatever this is” – he gestured between us – “it’s important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/you-don-t-owe-me-anything-yes-i-fucking-do-he-said-abruptly-whatever/)

[Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/)

> [“Stay," he said abruptly. "Stay, feed me. Read to me, if you like. Do not talk to me of death. Do not offer me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-sagara-west/stay-he-said-abruptly-stay-feed-me-read-to-me-if-you-like-do-not-talk/)

[Michelle Sagara West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-sagara-west/)

> [“We will civilize you yet," she retorted. "I don't know," Tristan said abruptly. "I rather like him uncivilized." Then he seemed to realize what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-speedwell/we-will-civilize-you-yet-she-retorted-i-don-t-know-tristan-said/)

[Rowan Speedwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-speedwell/)

> [“Why not?” he said, abruptly. “Why not?” said Damen. “I don’t share your craven habit of hitting only those who cannot hit back, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/why-not-he-said-abruptly-why-not-said-damen-i-don-t-share-your-craven/)

[C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/)

> [“You're a pickpocket right? That's cool. But you don't do it for the money, do you?" "Maybe the end." I said abruptly. "The end?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fuminori-nakamura/you-re-a-pickpocket-right-that-s-cool-but-you-don-t-do-it-for-the/)

[Fuminori Nakamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fuminori-nakamura/)

> [I didn't mean for you to take that the wrong way," He said abruptly. Mae stared at him in amazement. So, for that matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/i-didn-t-mean-for-you-to-take-that-the-wrong-way-he-said-abruptly-mae/)

[Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/)

> [“Thank you,” I said and then abruptly leaned across the counter and with two forked fingers poked him sharply in the eyes. Actually, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/thank-you-i-said-and-then-abruptly-leaned-across-the-counter-and-with/)

[Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/)

> [“I'm not sure when it began, that descent into the depths of falling without realizing I was doing so. Could it have been when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-megan-varnadore/i-m-not-sure-when-it-began-that-descent-into-the-depths-of-falling/)

[Jennifer Megan Varnadore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-megan-varnadore/)

> [“Upstairs Margaret said abruptly, 'I suppose it starts to happen first in the suburbs,' and when Brad said, 'What starts to happen?' she said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/upstairs-margaret-said-abruptly-i-suppose-it-starts-to-happen-first/)

[Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/)

> [Who threw that pen cap at me?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack/who-threw-that-pen-cap-at-me/)

[Zack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack/)

> [What happened was I saw this ad for a yogurt plant for sale. It was in my junk mail pile, and I threw it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamdi-ulukaya/what-happened-was-i-saw-this-ad-for-a-yogurt-plant-for-sale-it-was-in/)

[Hamdi Ulukaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamdi-ulukaya/)

> [Something went wrong with my right arm. I no longer could throw hard, and it hurt like the dickens every time I threw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dazzy-vance/something-went-wrong-with-my-right-arm-i-no-longer-could-throw-hard/)

[Dazzy Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dazzy-vance/)

> [I threw up before every single football game I played, and I did so up through my NFL career. It was good pressure. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-kelly/i-threw-up-before-every-single-football-game-i-played-and-i-did-so-up/)

[Jim Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-kelly/)

> [“He was staring at me because I practically threw up on myself…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inara-scott/he-was-staring-at-me-because-i-practically-threw-up-on-myself/)

[Inara Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inara-scott/)

> [My first job was a film called 'Storm Damage' for the BBC. I was 16 and working with really respected British actors. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-madekwe/my-first-job-was-a-film-called-storm-damage-for-the-bbc-i-was-16-and/)

[Ashley Madekwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-madekwe/)

## More by Sharon Shinn

> [She smiled, if he could see that, and waited for him to ask the real question. But he was silent. He wanted her to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/she-smiled-if-he-could-see-that-and-waited-for-him-to-ask-the-real/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [“...the townhouses looked bedraggled, unkempt, like an old homeless woman with an interesting history but a perilous future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/the-townhouses-looked-bedraggled-unkempt-like-an-old-homeless-woman/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [Yes, Jenna, I love you with all my heart. And with my atoms and molecules and electrons and whatever further breakdown you require.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/yes-jenna-i-love-you-with-all-my-heart-and-with-my-atoms-and/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [“And might I live long enough to see the world yet again as a place completely different, through eyes that see another truth not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/and-might-i-live-long-enough-to-see-the-world-yet-again-as-a-place/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [Only the strongest are put through the fire,' Josiah said. 'And the forge creates things of great strength and beauty.' 'Then I shall be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/only-the-strongest-are-put-through-the-fire-josiah-said-and-the-forge/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [I realized a long time ago, with a certain amazement, that no mattter how important something is in your life, no matter how huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/i-realized-a-long-time-ago-with-a-certain-amazement-that-no-mattter/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [“She was smiling as she leaned toward Reed, who stooped down to put his lips against her ear. He would tell her that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/she-was-smiling-as-she-leaned-toward-reed-who-stooped-down-to-put-his/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [Manufactured--synthetic--even virtual, if that is what you turned out to be--I would love you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/manufactured-synthetic-even-virtual-if-that-is-what-you-turned-out-to/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [Your wedding completely changes the direction of your life, you know, no matter how greatly you desire it. I think that moment of doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/your-wedding-completely-changes-the-direction-of-your-life-you-know/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [It is very easy to shun someone who is deliberately cruel, and everyone loathes a man who is brutal and vicious. Such people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/it-is-very-easy-to-shun-someone-who-is-deliberately-cruel-and/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [“But I am king. And the well-being of my kingdom depends on my sound judgment and clear head. And those things depend on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/but-i-am-king-and-the-well-being-of-my-kingdom-depends-on-my-sound/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [“How did they find out?" Donnal inquired. "Did you set them on fire?" "You know, it's so rare that I actually do that, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/how-did-they-find-out-donnal-inquired-did-you-set-them-on-fire-you/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [“I wonder,” I said. “Perhaps you can meet with an accident on the road. Harwin and I can bring back the sad news that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/i-wonder-i-said-perhaps-you-can-meet-with-an-accident-on-the-road/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [You have not traveled enough," she said. "Or you'd know that every journey makes its own map across your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/you-have-not-traveled-enough-she-said-or-you-d-know-that-every/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

> [He is so kind that he makes me search my soul to find new ways to be compassionate to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/he-is-so-kind-that-he-makes-me-search-my-soul-to-find-new-ways-to-be/)

[Sharon Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

[Explore all 65 Sharon Shinn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/)

## More Important things quotes

> [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/)

[Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/)

> [There are more important things to focus on in life than how you look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arden-cho/there-are-more-important-things-to-focus-on-in-life-than-how-you-look/)

[Arden Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arden-cho/)

> [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/)

[Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/)

> [In a world without Chevron, very little would change except perhaps the most important things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gorsuch/in-a-world-without-chevron-very-little-would-change-except-perhaps/)

[Neil Gorsuch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gorsuch/)

> [You know, right now, the most important thing in my life is to make sure you understand that, first of all, I thank God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-ray-vaughan/you-know-right-now-the-most-important-thing-in-my-life-is-to-make/)

[Stevie Ray Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-ray-vaughan/)

> [Statistics are like miniskirts: They give you good ideas but hide the important things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ebbe-skovdahl/statistics-are-like-miniskirts-they-give-you-good-ideas-but-hide-the/)

[Ebbe Skovdahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ebbe-skovdahl/)

> [The most important thing about being a father is being able to forgive yourself. If you don't forgive yourself, you're not going to forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evander-holyfield/the-most-important-thing-about-being-a-father-is-being-able-to/)

[Evander Holyfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evander-holyfield/)

> [The next thing you do today will be the most important thing on your agenda, because, after all, you're doing it next. Well, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-next-thing-you-do-today-will-be-the-most-important-thing-on-your/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [I will work day and night to avoid failure, but if I can't, I'll pick myself up the next day. The most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-will-work-day-and-night-to-avoid-failure-but-if-i-can-t-i-ll-pick/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Political struggle is the most important thing any of us can do as a citizen in a democracy; and that means the old joining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kozol/political-struggle-is-the-most-important-thing-any-of-us-can-do-as-a/)

[Jonathan Kozol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kozol/)

> [ It is so hard and long before a student comes to a realization that these \[first\] few large simple spots in right relations are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-webster-hawthorne/it-is-so-hard-and-long-before-a-student-comes-to-a-realization-that/)

[Charles Webster Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-webster-hawthorne/)

> [I think the most important thing is to stay hopeful, to believe wonderful things are possible and do your best. Basically, to not give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-a-hoffman/i-think-the-most-important-thing-is-to-stay-hopeful-to-believe/)

[Irena A. Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-a-hoffman/)

> [“There are five important things for living a successful and fulfilling life: never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/there-are-five-important-things-for-living-a-successful-and/)

[Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/)

> [The most important thing to remember is: to protect your quarterback - ME!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/the-most-important-thing-to-remember-is-to-protect-your-quarterback-me/)

[Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/)

> [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

[Browse all 2,586 Important things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-things/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“You almost threw it back!' she repeated, and her voice filled with mock horror. 'You foolish boy! Are you always so careless with items of value?' 'No,' he said, abruptly sober. 'I know what matters. And I never throw those things away. I hold on to them as long as I can.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sharon Shinn"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-and-her-voice-filled-with-mock/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Important things"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-and-her-voice-filled-with-mock/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/sharon-shinn-10524_important-things_you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-an_2208820.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You almost threw it back!' she repeated, and her voice filled with mock horror. 'You foolish boy! Are you…” — Sharon Shinn",
                "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": "Sharon Shinn",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-shinn/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“You almost threw it back!' she...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-and-her-voice-filled-with-mock/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-shinn/you-almost-threw-it-back-she-repeated-and-her-voice-filled-with-mock/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
