Loved Quote by Shirley Jackson
““Nothing irrevocable had yet been spoken, but there was only the barest margin of safety left them, each of them moving delicately along the outskirts of an open question, and, once spoken, such a question-as "Do you love me?" -could never be answered or forgotten. They walked slowly, meditating, wondering, and the path sloped down from their feet and they followed, walking side by side in the most extreme intimacy of expectation; their feinting and hesitation done with, they could only await passively for resolution. Each knew, almost within a breath, what the other was thinking and wanting to say; each of them almost wept for the other. They perceived at the same moment the change in the path and each knew then the other's knowledge of it; Theodora took Eleanor's arm and, afraid to stop, they moved on slowly, close together, and ahead of them the path widened and blackened and curved.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Question” (unpublished), 1960
Intimate, unspoken longing creates a fragile connection where words fail, highlighting the tension between desire and silence.
In simple terms: Deep longing can exist without words.
Key Takeaway
Embrace silence to deepen connection.
Themes
love
communication
intimacy
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- conflict resolution
- personal introspection
- dialogue avoidance
Key Concepts
existential yearning
psychological tension
Questions to Reflect On
- What does silence reveal about you?
- How do you navigate unspoken expectations?
A Different Perspective
Silence can also breed misunderstanding.
![“I] k[n]ow youre b[e]tt[e]r off without me. [D]ont worr[y] ab[o][u]t me. Im fine.” quote by Tinku Razoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/266/tinku-razoria-756_fine_i-k-n-ow-youre-b-e-tt-e-r-off-without-me_96.jpg)
