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.
Stephen KingRead
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
BooksLiteratureKnowledgeViolenceIdentity
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.
Stephen KingRead
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Stephen KingRead
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
Stephen KingRead
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.
Stephen KingRead
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.
Stephen KingRead
Similar quotes
As long as anything in this world means anything to you, your freedom is only a word. You are like a bird that is held by a leash; you can only fly so far.
Francois FenelonRead
They deem me mad because I will not sell my days for gold; and I deem them mad because they think my days have a price.
Khalil GibranRead
One should practice much sense, not much learning.
DemocritusRead
When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.
ConfuciusRead
When I pontificate, it sounds so, you know, Oh, well, she's preaching. I'm not preaching, but I think maybe I learned it from my animal friends. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself. I think that keeps you feeling young. I really do.
Betty WhiteRead
These old knights are more cunning than you think, or they would never have lived to see their first grey hair.
George R. R. MartinRead