Sticks and stones and words

Words can definitely hurt me more...because it affects me emotionally, and its harder to heal, emotional wise than physically.

Emotional pain is something that takes a lot longer to heal. Wounds heal up. Broken bones mend after an amount of time. Strained and pulled muscles get better. Words, while not physically causing pain, can cut deep down to the surface. Especially if they are rather hurtful from a person who you value. They can hurt more than anything that you can imagine. No matter how much you try and shake it off, you find that its hard. Deep down, hurtful words cause a great deal of second guessing and wondering if they are true.

Hi Karen! At the outset, let me say - I started somwhat similar discussion many months ago, titled 'physical abuse vs verbal abuse' (however, I was not entitled to respond to my own post..........lol!). Here I can share my views, because it is your discussion. I feel that verbal abuse or use of some nasty words could be more damaging (for me) than physical abuse. I belive that physical damage would get repaired sooner or later but the bitter words always linger in our memory and we just cannot forget our 'insult'. It is, therefore, I try my best not to hurt someone, however sometimes it happens inadvetently and I feel bad about it. Have a great day! Deepak

No, I don't think the saying is true. I think words can hurt u very much or i have had them hurt me. I'm sure i have done the same to people but never intentionally. I have a quick temper & a quick mouth & that can be a very bad thing.

I don't know about more pain, but I certainly think they hurt as much and we often remember them longer. Inflicting pain on another for what ever reason is just not good.

I guess that all depends upon how strong a person you are and just how severe the words are and who delivers them. Some people are very thin skinned and any little thing hurts their feelings. Ironically many of these same people are not so careful in choosing their own words.

No I do not believe in this saying, as I know words can hurt more then physical Pain, so who ever came up with this saying, well it is not true the physical Pain goes away, the verbal Pain doesn't

I think that old saying was just meant to toughen up little kids whose feelings would get hurt on the playground. It never worked then and still doesn't. The fact is that words are weapons and they do hurt. Sometimes they hurt longer and deeper than a physical wound depending on who said them and how they affected the person. there have been times when I think I'd rather have been slapped than to hear some of the mean words of someone that I care deeply about.

Words can hurt and they can't ever be taken back either. Especially if they come from somebody you loved and/or trusted. Or if somebody you care about believes them.

dear karen, in a family where cussing and shouting is a no no, i find words more hurting than physical pain. words could be sharp, bold, or mild. but either way, the message it conveys can crumple one's heart.. i am sorry to say, i dont believe in the saying. thank you for this discussion. ann

I absolutely hate this saying because I think it is false in more ways than one could ever know. Physical pains eventually go away but the pain of a person that has been verbally or emotionally abused is pain that will be with them for the rest of their lives. This isn't fair to a person. Perhaps it is even this statement that makes people think that the can abuse a person with words because they thing that it won't really hurt another person. I've been called names and made fun of during my life and I still carry some of that pain with me today.

Hi Karen, I think physical abuse is a whole set while verbal abuse is a part of it. I think you've not added the third kind. Financial abuse. I know of people who adjust to physical and verbal abuse because they are somewhat in a financial trap. Its constant threat, if you tell others I am doing this, you will be left penniless! In all probability, those pennies and dollars are taken away during some emotional moments, or again through physical and verbal abuse. :) Too many kind of abuses, he he.

I think the saying is true in my case. I never care about any physical injury to me. You can come and hit me as much as you can. With God grace I have good physics. But some emotional words only can break me. If you say I am emotional fool then yes I confess.

From my experiences, words can hurt much more than physical pain. Where did that phrases come from? lol Maybe the athor of it ment it in a different context than we know it today. I've been hurt badly both physically and emotionally. Psychological pain, it's hard to explain... it's harder to forget. I think that once the bruises are gone and the cuts heal up that pain is all over. But, when someones words hurt you, people have a tendency to think about it a lot (bad idea), so not only does the pain not fade - it gets even worse. Maybe that's just me. Still, I've heard tons of people that have been abused physically and emotionally say that emotional pain is more hurtful.

Hi Karen, I hate this saying with a vengeance, it certainly is NOT true for me, words and mental anguish are far more damaging than physical pain, believe me I have been there, I have been in mentally abusive relationships, I have been bullied for most of my life and its words that destroy people, and they have nearly destroyed me, the power of words. I was always taught this saying from childhood and I rebelled against it because it simply wasn't true, words are damaging, they tear lives apart, people apart, do you know if I had a choice between being mentally abused and physically abused I would take the physical, not that I condone it or would want it, but out of the two mental abuse you cannot prove, physcial abuse a bruise or a cut can heal, words said brutally and used as weopens take years sometimes never to heal, believe me I have been there and words said to me as a youngster still even now 30 years on still have a profound affect on me. That is part of the reason why I am so obsessive about my weight and have OCD, because I was torn to pieces by sick jibes, bullying and nasty words about being fat as a child. I wish my ex had beaten me up because they knew I was much stronger physically and weak mentally they knew my achilles heal. So this is why when I hear that saying sticks and stones I go completely cold.

Both would certainly hurt any one. It depends on the intensity. it depends on people as well. It is better not to get hurt by words if there is nothing wrong on your part.Or else you should see it as an opportunity to correct your mistakes, it is easy to say this difficult to practice though...

Hi there, There are old sayings that through the passage of time, proved to only be hoax. One is the saying you quoted above, probably depending on how one may apply it. But how I see it, and through personal experience also, I believe words have a deep impact to each one of us. It cuts deep through our hearts and minds. Wounds may not be seen, but there is a great phychological and emotional effects afterwards. Lies, for instance is a discreet deception. It can be said through flowery words but the aftermath is as strong as a knife's edge that can kill a person by wrecking one's reputation like an indelible ink carelessly poured out on a white silk linen. At least that's how I see it. Happy day!

Hey Karen! I don't think that most people realized or understand how much words can hurt other people! I am having this problem right now with a friend of mine! She only wants to be able to say what she wants to me, but if I dare say something she doesn't like then oh my God she has a fit! I have told her over and over again that I am sick of her mouth and will not continute to put up with her crap and she just doesn't get it! We have been friends since we were 10 years old, on and off! This is a very old friendship and about 2 years ago I ended it! And I am about to do it again because she is reverting back to her nasty self! I haven't got the time or energy to deal with her sickness (she is bipolar)! Sometimes you just have to say what you mean and mean what you say! Words can hurt! And I will never let anyone hurt me with words!

I don't know who the heck came up with that saying because in my opinion it is a bunch of crock. Although I also say this same saying to my own children so... I think that while physical wounds can hurt emotional wounds cut deeper and hurt a lot worse. Physical wounds while hurtful heal quickly and can at times be forgotten while emotional wounds take longer and at times may never be forgotten. I always tell myself and my kids to think before we think because once something has been said it can not be unsaid so be careful we do not say something that can be hurtful or regretted....

i would rather be slapped than someone to use words like a knife. the sting from the slap goes away quickly but the sting from the words could last a lifetime. the type of person that uses words to hurt others is an insecure person. when they belittle it makes them feel in control i think.