"A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a child"

This quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow speaks with the power of words and how they can have an enduring impact on an individual. It suggests that physical damage, such as a torn coat, can be quickly fixed, however the psychological damage caused by harsh words can be much more challenging to repair. The quote implies that words can be simply as harmful as physical damage, which it is important to be mindful of the words we use when speaking to others, especially children. It is a reminder that words can have an enduring impact on a person's emotional wellbeing, which we should take care to utilize words that are kind and motivating. The quote also functions as a pointer that we need to bear in mind how we talk to children, as their hearts are more fragile and quickly bruised.