--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am sorry to shock you,\" she said. \"But…" description: "\"“I am sorry to shock you,\" she said. \"But the moth eats the garment somewhat in five-and thirty years.”\" — Thomas Hardy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fc/thomas-hardy-410_thirty-years_i-am-sorry-to-shock-you-she-said-but-the_2249089.jpg" --- # I am sorry to shock you," she said. "But the moth eats the… ![“I am sorry to shock you," she said. "But the moth eats the garment somewhat in five-and thirty years.” quote by Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fc/thomas-hardy-410_thirty-years_i-am-sorry-to-shock-you-she-said-but-the_2249089.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fc/thomas-hardy-410_thirty-years_i-am-sorry-to-shock-you-she-said-but-the_2249089.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fc/thomas-hardy-410_thirty-years_i-am-sorry-to-shock-you-she-said-but-the_2249089.jpg) > ““I am sorry to shock you," she said. "But the moth eats the garment somewhat in five-and thirty years.”” [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character apologizes for shocking, noting that time erodes clothing like a moth. **In simple terms:** Time slowly destroys things, even clothing. Key Takeaway Accept that change and decay are inevitable. Themes time decay apology inevitability Mood reflective somber Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - aging process - fashion cycles - historical preservation - personal loss Key Concepts impermanence mortality Questions to Reflect On - What things in your life are slowly changing? - How do you respond to inevitable loss? A Different Perspective Some changes can be mitigated with care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eats Garment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eats-garment-5129932/) [Moth Eats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moth-eats-5129931/) [Said Moth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-moth-4559382/) [Shock Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock-said-1048133/) [Sorry Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry-shock-5129933/) [Thirty years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirty-years/) ## Related quotes > [“You're a little tall to play Ariel." said Moth. "And you have way too many muscles," said Mustardseed. "But you might be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mantchev/you-re-a-little-tall-to-play-ariel-said-moth-and-you-have-way-too/) [Lisa Mantchev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mantchev/) > [At the moment, he is in shock," said Magnus. "He has believed one thing for five years, and now he has realized that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/at-the-moment-he-is-in-shock-said-magnus-he-has-believed-one-thing/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“She snorted. "Are you seriously asking me to have a fling with you?" "Absolutely not," he said, feigning shock. "I said dinner. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/she-snorted-are-you-seriously-asking-me-to-have-a-fling-with-you/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [“He must have seen her shock, because he said, "You can't defeat the power of the book. But you can make it work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristine-grayson/he-must-have-seen-her-shock-because-he-said-you-can-t-defeat-the/) [Kristine Grayson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristine-grayson/) > [Post-traumatic shock,' said Shaun. 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