---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.”…"
description: "\"Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.” Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist. I smile at the wall. I am not enjoying this. I am not, not even a little..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png"
---

#  Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.” Obediently, he slips both…

![“Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.” Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist. I smile at the wall. I am not enjoying this. I am not, not even a little bit, no.” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png)

> “Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.” Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist. I smile at the wall. I am not enjoying this. I am not, not even a little bit, no.”

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator feels forced intimacy that is uncomfortable and unwanted, highlighting a lack of genuine connection.

**In simple terms:** Unwanted closeness feels uncomfortable.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and respect personal boundaries.

Themes

intimacy discomfort boundaries

Mood

uneasy reflective

Type

personal emotional

When to use this quote

- social gatherings
- romantic encounters
- family gatherings

Key Concepts

personal space emotional honesty

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we sometimes hide discomfort?
- How can we assert boundaries politely?

A Different Perspective

The narrator may be masking true feelings with a smile.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Arms Obediently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms-obediently-943342/) [Arms Waist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms-waist-943346/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [I smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-smile/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Say Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-arms-943345/) [Shh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shh/) [Slips Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slips-arms-943343/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) [Wall Enjoying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall-enjoying-943344/)

## Related quotes

> [My Kids always say (with there arms sehrcetd as far as they can ) I love you this much and back around again.I makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taftaf/my-kids-always-say-with-there-arms-sehrcetd-as-far-as-they-can-i-love/)

[Taftaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taftaf/)

> [“Arms around my waist and Pigpen has me in the air.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/arms-around-my-waist-and-pigpen-has-me-in-the-air/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [Morning," I say. "Shh," she says. "If you don't acknowledge it, maybe it will go away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/morning-i-say-shh-she-says-if-you-don-t-acknowledge-it-maybe-it-will/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [Dont tell we are on our on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayla-poteat/dont-tell-we-are-on-our-on/)

[Kayla Poteat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayla-poteat/)

> [Shh! Listen! Someone’s coming! I think — I think it might be us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/shh-listen-someone-s-coming-i-think-i-think-it-might-be-us/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [- I hate to break this to you, Cameron, but you are only human. - Shh... I've been trying to keep that under wraps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-james/i-hate-to-break-this-to-you-cameron-but-you-are-only-human-shh-i-ve/)

[Julie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-james/)

> [Shh," he said. "Look." "Where?" "Can't you see'um?" he whispered. "All the Terabithians standing on tiptoe to see you." "Me?" "Shh, yes. There's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/shh-he-said-look-where-can-t-you-see-um-he-whispered-all-the/)

[Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/)

> [Shh,” he whispered. “You asked me if I loved you. I do. I love you more than life itself. Nothing matters in this world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shh-he-whispered-you-asked-me-if-i-loved-you-i-do-i-love-you-more/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [Shh. Listen to the sounds that surround you. Notice the pitches, the volume, the timbre, the many lines of counterpoint. As light taught Monet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-seeger/shh-listen-to-the-sounds-that-surround-you-notice-the-pitches-the/)

[Pete Seeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-seeger/)

> [Why?' He asked. 'Why what?' What could I say? Noah, despite you being an asshole, or maybe because of it, I'd like to rip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-he-asked-why-what-what-could-i-say-noah-despite-you-being-an/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [ Heath \[Ledger\] would walk up to a horse and could like silence the horse. Just literally he'd be like, 'Shh. Shh.' And then he'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-gyllenhaal/heath-ledger-would-walk-up-to-a-horse-and-could-like-silence-the/)

[Jake Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-gyllenhaal/)

> [I wish I could take language And fold it like cool, moist rags. I would lay words on your forehead. I would wrap words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-margaret-cameron/i-wish-i-could-take-language-and-fold-it-like-cool-moist-rags-i-would/)

[Julia Margaret Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-margaret-cameron/)

> [I understand Crawford paid you a visit?" "Yes." "And was he attentive?" "Yes, very." "And has your heart changed towards him?" "Yes. Several times.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-understand-crawford-paid-you-a-visit-yes-and-was-he-attentive-yes/)

[Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/)

> [Okay. Now my skin is really prickling. I've read all the Harry Potter books, all five of them. I don't remember any half-blood prince.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-kinsella/okay-now-my-skin-is-really-prickling-i-ve-read-all-the-harry-potter/)

[Sophie Kinsella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-kinsella/)

> [Shh!” the guy beside me hissed again. “Blame him,” I told the guy, pointing at Patch. The guy craned his neck back. “Listen,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/shh-the-guy-beside-me-hissed-again-blame-him-i-told-the-guy-pointing/)

[Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/)

## More by Veronica Roth

> [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [Soon I will honor my parents by dying as they died. and if all they believed about death was true, soon I will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/soon-i-will-honor-my-parents-by-dying-as-they-died-and-if-all-they/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Mas lembre-se, já agora, que por vezes as pessoas que oprimimos tornam-se mais poderosas do que nós gostaríamos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/mas-lembre-se-j-agora-que-por-vezes-as-pessoas-que-oprimimos-tornam/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“am aware of how little space there is between us—six inches at most. That space feels charged with electricity. I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

[Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

## More Arms quotes

> [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/)

[Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/)

> [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/)

[Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/)

> [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/)

[Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/)

> [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

> [Are we fighting?" I asked Morelli. "No. Were discussing." "Are you sure?" "Am I yelling?" Morelli asked. "Is my face purple? Are the cords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/are-we-fighting-i-asked-morelli-no-were-discussing-are-you-sure-am-i/)

[Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/)

> [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/)

[Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/)

> [Even the stove and the refrigerator looked human, I mean good human - they seemed to have arms and voices and they said, hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/even-the-stove-and-the-refrigerator-looked-human-i-mean-good-human/)

[Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/)

> [I separated the joints, the arm joints, the leg joints, and had to do two boilings. I think I used four boxes of Soilex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dahmer/i-separated-the-joints-the-arm-joints-the-leg-joints-and-had-to-do/)

[Jeffrey Dahmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dahmer/)

> [More courage is required to forgive than is required to take up arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ramos-horta/more-courage-is-required-to-forgive-than-is-required-to-take-up-arms/)

[Jose Ramos-Horta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ramos-horta/)

> [It's been a long time since I asked anything of heaven, and my arms still haven't come down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/it-s-been-a-long-time-since-i-asked-anything-of-heaven-and-my-arms/)

[Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/)

> [With those who are willing to join, let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms, to strengthen the structure of peace, to lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-those-who-are-willing-to-join-let-us-cooperate-to-reduce-the/)

[Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/)

> [How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms, by truth when it is attacked by lies, by faith when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-macleish/how-shall-freedom-be-defended-by-arms-when-it-is-attacked-by-arms-by/)

[Archibald MacLeish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-macleish/)

> [You don't have to say it out loud. I already know why you like me.' 'You do, huh?' 'Yep.' He wrapped his arms around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-don-t-have-to-say-it-out-loud-i-already-know-why-you-like-me-you/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [Another step had her backed up against the wall, and he braced his arms on both sides of her. "I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/)

[Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/)

[Browse all 4,470 Arms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.” Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist. I smile at the wall. I am not enjoying this. I am not, not even a little bit, no.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Veronica Roth"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-slips-both-arms-around-my/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Arms"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-slips-both-arms-around-my/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/veronica-roth-66_arms_shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-s_870058.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.” Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist. I smile at the wall. I am not…” — Veronica Roth",
                "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": "Veronica Roth",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Shh,” I say. “Arms around me.”...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-slips-both-arms-around-my/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/shh-i-say-arms-around-me-obediently-he-slips-both-arms-around-my/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
