--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Speech destroys the functions of love, I…" description: "\"“Speech destroys the functions of love, I think—that’s a hell of a thing for a writer to say, I guess, but I believe it to be true. If you speak to tel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stephen-king-13_love_speech-destroys-the-functions-of-love-i_3213279.jpg" --- # Speech destroys the functions of love, I think—that’s a… ![“Speech destroys the functions of love, I think—that’s a hell of a thing for a writer to say, I guess, but I believe it to be true. If you speak to tell a deer you mean it no harm, it glides away with a single flip of its tail. The word is the harm. Love isn’t what these asshole poets like McKuen…” quote by Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stephen-king-13_love_speech-destroys-the-functions-of-love-i_3213279.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stephen-king-13_love_speech-destroys-the-functions-of-love-i_3213279.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/stephen-king-13_love_speech-destroys-the-functions-of-love-i_3213279.jpg) > ““Speech destroys the functions of love, I think—that’s a hell of a thing for a writer to say, I guess, but I believe it to be true. If you speak to tell a deer you mean it no harm, it glides away with a single flip of its tail. The word is the harm. Love isn’t what these asshole poets like McKuen want you to think it is. Love has teeth; they bite; the wounds never close. No word, no combination of words, can close those lovebites. It’s the other way around, that’s the joke. If those wounds dry up, the words die with them. Take it from me. I’ve made my life from the words, and I know that is so.”” [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) ## 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 damage love, while silence can protect it; the writer acknowledges that language often wounds more than heals. **In simple terms:** Words hurt love; silence can protect. Key Takeaway Choose silence when words may harm. Themes love language pain creativity Mood reflective somber Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - relationships - writing - conflict resolution - personal healing Key Concepts communication emotional injury artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - Can you ever truly protect love without speaking? - When is silence more damaging than words? A Different Perspective Silence may also prevent needed honesty and connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Close Lovebites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-lovebites-6011894/) [Harm Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm-love-1418924/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Speech Destroys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech-destroys-3133887/) [Word Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-harm-6011893/) [Words Die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-die-1276174/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Speech destroys the functions of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/speech-destroys-the-functions-of-love/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Speech destroys the function of love, I think-that's a hell of a thing for a writer to say, I guess, but I believe it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/speech-destroys-the-function-of-love-i-think-that-s-a-hell-of-a-thing/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Monster of Energy, Love Unbound, Passion Insatiable, Joy an Epidemic, Complete Safety, and Danger, Absolute. 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Love isn’t what these asshole poets like McKuen want you to think it is. Love has teeth; they bite; the wounds never close. No word, no combination of words, can close those lovebites. It’s the other way around, that’s the joke. If those wounds dry up, the words die with them. Take it from me. 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