--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o'…" description: "\"Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war.\" — Shel Silverstein" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg" --- # Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war. ![“Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war.” quote by Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg) > “Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war.” [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Replace conflict with affection; choose cooperation over competition for a more harmonious interaction. **In simple terms:** Choose hugs instead of fights. Key Takeaway Embrace kindness over rivalry. Themes cooperation peace relationships Mood playful thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - family gatherings - team projects - peer mediation - community events Key Concepts conflict resolution emotional intelligence social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is competition necessary? - How can you balance assertiveness with empathy? A Different Perspective Not all conflicts can be resolved with affection alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hug/) [Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead/) [Instead Tug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-tug-3142116/) [Let Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-play-596896/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Hug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-hug-3061796/) [Ubuntu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ubuntu/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [I will not play at tug o' war, I'd rather play at hug o' war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/i-will-not-play-at-tug-o-war-i-d-rather-play-at-hug-o-war/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/i-will-not-play-at-tug-o-war-i-d-rather-play-at-hug-o-war-where/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [I'll show you how to do my dance or I might let you play in the garden or sit up in that white thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jadakiss/i-ll-show-you-how-to-do-my-dance-or-i-might-let-you-play-in-the/) [Jadakiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jadakiss/) > [I heard you're a player. So let's play a game. Let's sweet talk. Let's play fight. Let's talk 24/7. Let's tell eachother good morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-heard-you-re-a-player-so-let-s-play-a-game-let-s-sweet-talk-let-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let's play a little game just between you and I I'll be yours in physical you gotta use your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-jontel/let-s-play-a-little-game-just-between-you-and-i-i-ll-be-yours-in/) [Miguel Jontel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-jontel/) > [I want to be in a place where they know I'm the best corner in the game and let me play and help the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-ramsey/i-want-to-be-in-a-place-where-they-know-i-m-the-best-corner-in-the/) [Jalen Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-ramsey/) > [It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-banks/it-s-a-beautiful-day-for-a-ballgame-let-s-play-two/) [Ernie Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-banks/) > [. . . the cruel part is that, to let the play live, you have to surrender control and let your characters go. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-howe/the-cruel-part-is-that-to-let-the-play-live-you-have-to-surrender/) [Tina Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-howe/) > [Every day can't be the best day Do what you can right now, don't hesitate That's why we try to make love and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slug/every-day-can-t-be-the-best-day-do-what-you-can-right-now-don-t/) [Slug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slug/) > [“Next time we meet again, let’s play doctor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sheehan-miles/next-time-we-meet-again-let-s-play-doctor/) [Charles Sheehan-Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sheehan-miles/) > [The time for desperation is upon us. Let's play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zedd/the-time-for-desperation-is-upon-us-let-s-play/) [Zedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zedd/) > [“Life's a song, Anne. Let's play.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-scott/life-s-a-song-anne-let-s-play/) [Kylie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-scott/) > [I'm not going to make every shot. I'm not going to get every block. I can't let one play affect me the next two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-hibbert/i-m-not-going-to-make-every-shot-i-m-not-going-to-get-every-block-i/) [Roy Hibbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-hibbert/) > [Let us not play at kittly-benders. There is a solid bottom everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/let-us-not-play-at-kittly-benders-there-is-a-solid-bottom-everywhere/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm going to Inter to see if they will let me play a bit of football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-figo/i-m-going-to-inter-to-see-if-they-will-let-me-play-a-bit-of-football/) [Luis Figo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-figo/) ## More by Shel Silverstein > [“I cannot go to school today" Said little Peggy Ann McKay. "I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/i-cannot-go-to-school-today-said-little-peggy-ann-mckay-i-have-the/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [Oh, I'm being eaten By a boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/oh-i-m-being-eaten-by-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“Many leaves one tree”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/many-leaves-one-tree/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [Magic Sandra’s seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/magic-sandra-s-seen-a-leprechaun-eddie-touched-a-troll-laurie-danced/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [He has the obligation to society that any human being has. I don't think a satirist has any greater obligation to society than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/he-has-the-obligation-to-society-that-any-human-being-has-i-don-t/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would not take the garbage out! She'd scour the pots and scrape the pans, Candy the yams and spice the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/sarah-cynthia-sylvia-stout-would-not-take-the-garbage-out-she-d-scour/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/to-me-freedom-entitles-you-to-do-something-not-to-not-do-something/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“Ol' man Simon, planted a diamond. Grew hisself a garden the likes of none. Sprouts all growin' comin' up glowin' Fruit of jewels all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/ol-man-simon-planted-a-diamond-grew-hisself-a-garden-the-likes-of/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“Ma and God God gave us fingers--Ma says, "Use your fork." God gave us voices--Ma says, "Don't scream." Ma says eat broccoli, cereal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/ma-and-god-god-gave-us-fingers-ma-says-use-your-fork-god-gave-us/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [Ourchestra: So you haven't got a drum, just beat your belly. So I haven't got a horn-I'll play my nose. So we haven't any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/ourchestra-so-you-haven-t-got-a-drum-just-beat-your-belly-so-i-haven/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [“Ickle me, pickle me, tickle me too never returned to the world they knew and nobody knows what happened to dear ickle me, pickle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/ickle-me-pickle-me-tickle-me-too-never-returned-to-the-world-they/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [I would hope that people, no matter what age, would find something to identify with in my books, pick one up and experience a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/i-would-hope-that-people-no-matter-what-age-would-find-something-to/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [What you've got to say, you say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/what-you-ve-got-to-say-you-say/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [G'bye, I'm going out to play!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/g-bye-i-m-going-out-to-play/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [A spider lives inside my head Who weaves a strange and wondrous web Of silken threads and silver strings To catch all sorts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/a-spider-lives-inside-my-head-who-weaves-a-strange-and-wondrous-web/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) [Explore all 198 Shel Silverstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) ## More Hug quotes > [I see the joy in life and I see the joy in simple things. I over-compliment. I over-praise. I over-express my feelings toward people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-lansing/i-see-the-joy-in-life-and-i-see-the-joy-in-simple-things-i-over/) [Sherry Lansing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-lansing/) > [I like kisses that aren't too fast or rushed - that's what makes a good kiss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-tomlinson/i-like-kisses-that-aren-t-too-fast-or-rushed-that-s-what-makes-a-good/) [Louis Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-tomlinson/) > [We must not forget that what I mean by the conquest of the world by spiritual thought is the sending out of the life-giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-must-not-forget-that-what-i-mean-by-the-conquest-of-the-world-by/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Seeing my children makes me come most alive. I come home and I see my kids' faces light up when they see me at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-patrick/seeing-my-children-makes-me-come-most-alive-i-come-home-and-i-see-my/) [Richard Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-patrick/) > [Much that we hug today as knowledge is ignorance pure and simple. It makes the mind wander and even reduces it to a vacuity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/much-that-we-hug-today-as-knowledge-is-ignorance-pure-and-simple-it/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The stranger might laugh and seem to enjoy the writing, but you hug to yourself the thought that they didn't quite understand its force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/the-stranger-might-laugh-and-seem-to-enjoy-the-writing-but-you-hug-to/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta HUG!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-farley/brothers-don-t-shake-hands-brothers-gotta-hug/) [Chris Farley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-farley/) > [Guys are OK... shake their hand... Women are special. You can hug 'em.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bon-scott/guys-are-ok-shake-their-hand-women-are-special-you-can-hug-em/) [Bon Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bon-scott/) > [Everybody I've ever met was destroyed by a member of the opposite sex early on and that damage you took into every relationship after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/everybody-i-ve-ever-met-was-destroyed-by-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex/) [Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/) > [That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/that-s-what-people-do-who-love-you-they-put-their-arms-around-you-and/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [Eating something fresh out of the oven is like a hug you can taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/eating-something-fresh-out-of-the-oven-is-like-a-hug-you-can-taste/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [“I had embraced you... long before i hugged you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanober-khan/i-had-embraced-you-long-before-i-hugged-you/) [Sanober Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanober-khan/) > [If you hug someone for seven seconds, it gives you a chemical drop in your brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-dohrn/if-you-hug-someone-for-seven-seconds-it-gives-you-a-chemical-drop-in/) [Walt Dohrn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-dohrn/) > [“i want to stay curled and cosied and chocolated…forever in my mother’s arms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanober-khan/i-want-to-stay-curled-and-cosied-and-chocolated-forever-in-my-mother/) [Sanober Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanober-khan/) > [There were people I know that got upset that I kissed people; I kissed them for luck and love, that's all. That's what my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawson/there-were-people-i-know-that-got-upset-that-i-kissed-people-i-kissed/) [Richard Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawson/) [Browse all 855 Hug quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hug/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shel Silverstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-war/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hug" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-war/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c5/shel-silverstein-1914_hug_instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-wa_337260.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war.” — Shel Silverstein", "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": "Shel Silverstein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Instead of tug o' war, let's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-war/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/instead-of-tug-o-war-let-s-play-hug-o-war/#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 } } ] } ```