Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Speaking personally, you can have my gun, but you'll take my book when you pry my cold, dead fingers off of the binding.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of literature over weaponry, suggesting that knowledge and stories are more valuable than violence.
Stephen King's quote highlights a profound belief in the power of written words and literature, suggesting that while one may be willing to relinquish material possessions like a gun, the essence of knowledge and the stories held within books are irreplaceable and worth fighting for. It implies that literature is fundamentally tied to our identity and humanity, indicating that a world devoid of books would result in a deficiency of culture and understanding.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used at a book club meeting to emphasize the value of literature.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
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A proverb is much matter distilled into few words.
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