The boy never cried again, and he never forgot what he'd learned: that to love is to destroy, and that to be loved is to be the one destroyed.

Summary

This quote implies that the experience of love can entail both pain and vulnerability. The boy, after learning this lesson, suppresses his emotions and refrains from crying. It suggests that love carries a destructive aspect, as it can cause emotional turmoil and vulnerability. The phrase "to love is to destroy" implies that when we care deeply for someone, it opens us up to the possibility of being hurt or destroyed emotionally. Additionally, being loved can be overwhelming, as it exposes one's vulnerabilities and can have the power to break them down.

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