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.
Because things like this you can only ssay once. And you either get it wrong or right, it's the end either way, because it's too hard to ever try to say again.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the finality of certain moments and the challenges of expressing significant thoughts or feelings.
Stephen King's quote reflects on the weight of words and the impact they can have. It suggests that some statements are so crucial that they can only be made once, emphasizing the importance of getting them right. The recognition of this pressure can lead to a hesitation to speak, knowing that missteps in such moments cannot easily be corrected. Ultimately, it speaks to the complexity of human communication and emotions, acknowledging that some truths are too profound to be repeated.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to emphasize the significance of choosing the right words.
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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