Collision Quote by Washington Irving
“The slanders of the pen pierce to the heart; they rankle longest in the noblest spirits; they dwell ever present in the mind and render it morbidly sensitive to the most trifling collision.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., 1819
Words that criticize can deeply wound noble souls, lingering and making them overly sensitive to minor slights.
In simple terms: Harsh words hurt the proud.
Key Takeaway
Guard your mind against petty criticism.
Themes
criticism
pride
emotional sensitivity
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership
- public speaking
- creative work
Key Concepts
psychology
reputation
vulnerability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you protect your self‑esteem from harsh feedback?
- What strategies help you stay resilient to criticism?
A Different Perspective
Even the most resilient can become fragile under constant attack.
![“This is all so silly,' said Diko. 'Who cares about what's real and what isn't real? [...] And as for our own history, the parts that will be lost, who cares if a mathematician calls us dirty names like "unreal"? They say such slanders about the square root of minus two as well.” quote by Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/652/orson-scott-card-134_math-humor_this-is-all-so-silly-said-diko-who-cares_903746.jpg)
