--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always balk when a so-called 'friend'…" description: "\"I always balk when a so-called 'friend' gives me a book as a gift and it's 650 pages long.\" — Tim Key" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png" --- # I always balk when a so-called 'friend' gives me a book as… ![“I always balk when a so-called 'friend' gives me a book as a gift and it's 650 pages long.” quote by Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png) > “I always balk when a so-called 'friend' gives me a book as a gift and it's 650 pages long.” [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Receiving an overly long book from a so-called friend can feel burdensome and unwelcome. **In simple terms:** Long gifts can feel burdensome. Key Takeaway Set boundaries on gift expectations. Themes friendship gift-giving communication Mood annoyed reflective Type advice personal When to use this quote - receiving gifts - declining presents - managing expectations Key Concepts social expectations personal boundaries Questions to Reflect On - Do you accept gifts that feel overwhelming? - How can you politely decline? A Different Perspective Not all gifts are appropriate; consider the recipient's capacity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [650 Pages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/650-pages-1219684/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Book Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book-gift-3075430/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Gift 650](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift-650-3075431/) [Gives Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gives-book-1778968/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Pages Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pages-long-919078/) ## Related quotes > [I did a complete rewrite of 650 pages in two weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-perry/i-did-a-complete-rewrite-of-650-pages-in-two-weeks/) [Anne Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-perry/) > [I thought 'UnSouled' would come in at around 400 pages, but it took 650 pages, and even then I felt like I was rushing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/i-thought-unsouled-would-come-in-at-around-400-pages-but-it-took-650/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [My freind is the man who gives me a book I aint read."Abraham Linclion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/my-freind-is-the-man-who-gives-me-a-book-i-aint-read-abraham-linclion/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“When a person gives you a book to read, he's asking you to look into his soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-morrison/when-a-person-gives-you-a-book-to-read-he-s-asking-you-to-look-into/) [Suzanne Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-morrison/) > [When a good friend gives you his or her book, you don't want to read it, because you're afraid that it's not going be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/when-a-good-friend-gives-you-his-or-her-book-you-don-t-want-to-read/) [John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/) > [A book is a gift you can open again and again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-keillor/a-book-is-a-gift-you-can-open-again-and-again/) [Garrison Keillor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-keillor/) > [Remember, a book is always a gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-hay/remember-a-book-is-always-a-gift/) [Sheridan Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-hay/) > [If I give a book as a gift, it is invariably a children's book with beautiful artwork and a simple text. I adore the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/if-i-give-a-book-as-a-gift-it-is-invariably-a-children-s-book-with/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [“A book is a gift you can open again and again. Garrison Keillor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-q-bernier/a-book-is-a-gift-you-can-open-again-and-again-garrison-keillor/) [T.Q. Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-q-bernier/) > [Teacher: Your paper must be 3-5 pages long. Me: Ok then, 3 it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/teacher-your-paper-must-be-3-5-pages-long-me-ok-then-3-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The new CIA torture report is 6 million pages long. It's almost as long as a George Clooney pre-nup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/the-new-cia-torture-report-is-6-million-pages-long-it-s-almost-as/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [“Only a reader can understand how a book with 100 pages can be too long and one with 1000 pages can be too short.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofija/only-a-reader-can-understand-how-a-book-with-100-pages-can-be-too/) [Sofija](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofija/) > [“If Jean Valjean had me representing him,” he likes to say, “then Les Misérables would’ve only been six pages long. Dismissed—Loaf of Bread Pilfery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-beatty/if-jean-valjean-had-me-representing-him-he-likes-to-say-then-les-mis/) [Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-beatty/) > [“The Affordable Health Care for Americans Act, passed by the House of Representatives on November 7, 2009, was 1,990 pages long. You could stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke-2/the-affordable-health-care-for-americans-act-passed-by-the-house-of/) [P.J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke-2/) > [If a scene is three pages long, quite often people break it up and do a page, say 'cut' then move on to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mcavoy/if-a-scene-is-three-pages-long-quite-often-people-break-it-up-and-do/) [James McAvoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mcavoy/) ## More by Tim Key > [Any columnist will tell you that sometimes the well runs dry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/any-columnist-will-tell-you-that-sometimes-the-well-runs-dry/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [Ever since I was able to consume entertainment, radio has been one of the main things I've devoured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/ever-since-i-was-able-to-consume-entertainment-radio-has-been-one-of/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [If I'm writing a radio thing that's narrative, it's quite nice to stop for an hour and write a load of garbage that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/if-i-m-writing-a-radio-thing-that-s-narrative-it-s-quite-nice-to-stop/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [The bath, for me, was always a place to relax, to retreat from the hell of modern-day life. A sanctuary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/the-bath-for-me-was-always-a-place-to-relax-to-retreat-from-the-hell/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [Doing a new show is just so much pressure. I saw a magazine with my face on the cover and the question 'Is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/doing-a-new-show-is-just-so-much-pressure-i-saw-a-magazine-with-my/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [Weirdly, it's much easier to write a poem than a film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/weirdly-it-s-much-easier-to-write-a-poem-than-a-film/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [Imminent resignation isn't a fun thing to have on your plate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/imminent-resignation-isn-t-a-fun-thing-to-have-on-your-plate/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [It's vital to get something useful under your belt early doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/it-s-vital-to-get-something-useful-under-your-belt-early-doors/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [When I write poetry, I write in torrents. I have no interest in quality or finesse, only in quantity and waste. Scribble and discard,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/when-i-write-poetry-i-write-in-torrents-i-have-no-interest-in-quality/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [Tim Vine's off the scale. Exhaustingly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/tim-vine-s-off-the-scale-exhaustingly-funny/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [My ideal Friday night is spent playing scrabble in my local in Kentish Town with a goon called Lenny. After I've won a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/my-ideal-friday-night-is-spent-playing-scrabble-in-my-local-in/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [I try to write jokes but when I've written about four I run out. Writing my show is a very lonely place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-try-to-write-jokes-but-when-i-ve-written-about-four-i-run-out/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [I used to be really good at squash until I did my shoulder in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-used-to-be-really-good-at-squash-until-i-did-my-shoulder-in/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [I delivered dartboards to pubs. That wasn't when I knew I wanted to be a poet, but it was when I knew I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-delivered-dartboards-to-pubs-that-wasn-t-when-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [I don't have an inflated opinion of how much artistic merit the poems I do have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-don-t-have-an-inflated-opinion-of-how-much-artistic-merit-the-poems/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) [Explore all 100 Tim Key quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always balk when a so-called 'friend' gives me a book as a gift and it's 650 pages long.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tim Key" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gives-me-a-book-as-a-gift-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gives-me-a-book-as-a-gift-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/tim-key-5773_always_i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gi_1126651.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I always balk when a so-called 'friend' gives me a book as a gift and it's 650 pages long.” — Tim Key", "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": "Tim Key", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I always balk when a so-called...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gives-me-a-book-as-a-gift-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-always-balk-when-a-so-called-friend-gives-me-a-book-as-a-gift-and/#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 } } ] } ```