“When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don't get to decide that you didn't”

Simplified Meaning:

Imagine if you accidentally stepped on someone's foot, and they said, "Ouch, that hurt!" You wouldn’t argue, "No, it didn’t!" because you can't feel their pain. This quote is pointing out that only the person experiencing the hurt knows how they feel. If someone shares that your words or actions have made them feel bad, you must accept their feelings even if you didn't intend to hurt them. Think about how sometimes people might make jokes, not realizing they are offensive. If the joke hurts someone's feelings, it's important to listen and acknowledge their pain instead of dismissing it. This can prevent arguments and helps maintain respectful, trusting relationships. In practice, this means being open to hearing others’ feelings and respecting their experiences. If someone close to you tells you they're hurt by something you said or did, listen carefully and show empathy. Don't dismiss their feelings or try to argue that they shouldn't be hurt; instead, apologize sincerely and be more mindful in the future. This approach builds stronger and kinder connections with the people around you.