30 Most Powerful 'Milk And Honey' Quotes Reimagined For The 10th Anniversary (2025 Update)
Rupi Kaur's milk and honey, a collection of poetry, prose, and illustrations, first self-published in 2014, has cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon, redefining modern poetry and becoming a global bestseller. As of the end of 2024 and moving into 2025, the book’s enduring relevance is highlighted by the release of its 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition and a renewed focus on its core themes of trauma, survival, self-love, and femininity, making its quotes more resonant than ever for a new generation seeking emotional honesty and healing.
The book’s simple, yet profound, language speaks directly to the universal experience of heartbreak and the arduous journey toward self-acceptance, offering a contemporary narrative that explores abuse, loss, and the strength found in embracing one's own emotional landscape. This deep dive into the most impactful quotes from the four chapters of milk and honey—The Hurting, The Loving, The Breaking, and The Healing—provides a fresh perspective on the work that surpassed even Homer's *Odyssey* as a poetry bestseller, proving that "Instapoetry" is a powerful voice in the Digital Age.
Rupi Kaur: Poet, Illustrator, and Cultural Phenomenon
Rupi Kaur is an Indian-Canadian poet, illustrator, photographer, and author whose work has garnered international acclaim and sparked a new wave of interest in poetry, often referred to as "Instapoetry."
- Full Name: Rupi Kaur
- Born: 1992
- Birthplace: Punjab, India
- Immigration: Moved to Toronto, Canada, with her family at the age of four.
- Nationality: Canadian
- Occupation: Poet, illustrator, author, photographer, performer.
- Debut Work: milk and honey (Self-published 2014, later published by Andrews McMeel Publishing).
- Notable Works: milk and honey (2014), The Sun and Her Flowers (2017), and Home Body (2020).
- Latest Projects (2024/2025): milk and honey: 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition and a related book tour across cities like New York, Cambridge, Miami, and Columbia.
- Recognition: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, highly influential figure in modern poetry and feminist literature.
The Hurting and The Breaking: Quotes on Trauma, Abuse, and Heartbreak
The first two chapters, "the hurting" and "the breaking," delve into the darkest parts of the human experience, exploring themes of violence, abuse, and the devastating pain of lost love. Kaur's minimalist style amplifies the emotional weight of these experiences, making them instantly relatable to survivors and those navigating complex relationships. The raw honesty of these poems challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the quiet struggle of survival.
Quotes on Trauma and Abuse (The Hurting)
- “the kindest words my father said to me / women like you drown oceans.”
- “i want to apologize to all the women i have called beautiful / before i’ve called them intelligent or brave.”
- “you tell me to quiet down / cause my opinions make me less beautiful / but i was not made for the sake of being beautiful / but for the sake of being real.”
- “my heart is a thunder cloud / not a flower you can keep in a vase.”
- “how you love yourself is / how you teach others / to love you.”
- “you have to stop / searching for why at some point / you have to simply let the hurt be.”
Quotes on Heartbreak and Loss (The Breaking)
- “you cannot leave / and have me too / i cannot exist in / two places at once / - when you ask if we can still be friends.”
- “i didn’t leave because / i stopped loving you / i left because the longer / i stayed the less / i loved myself.”
- “i am a museum full of art / but you had your eyes shut.”
- “loneliness is a sign you are in desperate need of yourself.”
- “i struggle with wanting / to hug you / and wanting to tear you apart.”
- “i do not want to have you / to fill the empty parts of me / i want to be full on my own / i want to be so complete / i could light a whole city / and then / i want to have you / cause the two of us combined / could set it on fire.”
The Loving and The Healing: Quotes on Self-Love, Femininity, and Survival
The latter half of the book, "the loving" and "the healing," shifts the focus from external pain to internal strength. These poems are a testament to the power of self-love, the reclamation of femininity, and the difficult but necessary process of emotional growth. This section resonates deeply with readers who are on their own journey of self-discovery and survival, echoing the sentiment that true love begins with oneself.
Quotes on Self-Love and Empowerment (The Loving)
The concept of self-care and self-discovery is central to this chapter, providing a roadmap for moving past trauma and embracing one's own worth. The enduring influence of these poems highlights their role in AAPI Poetry and modern feminist thought.
- “it was not a lack of love / but a lack of friendship / that killed the relationship.”
- “the world gives you / so much pain / and here you are / making gold out of it / there is nothing purer than that.”
- “stay strong through your pain / grow flowers from it / you have, you have, you have / to make the sun shine for yourself.”
- “i am water / soft enough / to offer life / tough enough / to drown it away.”
- “i have what i have and i am happy / i’ve lost what i’ve lost and i am still happy / - outlook.”
- “you must’ve been a sight / my mother said / when you were born / all the women in the room / were in love with you.”
Quotes on Healing and Moving Forward (The Healing)
The final chapter, "the healing," offers closure and a path forward. Rupi Kaur's interviews in 2024, often reflecting on the book's decade-long impact, emphasize that the writing process itself is a form of healing, a sentiment captured perfectly in these closing lines.
- “the thing about writing is / i can’t tell if it’s healing or destroying.”
- “do not look for healing / at the feet of those / who broke you.”
- “it is a terrifying thing / to be a woman / who seeks to be the fire / instead of the ash.”
- “i am a woman / of the world / i am a woman / of my own.”
- “i am learning / how to be soft / and still be / a fortress.”
- “what is stronger / than the human heart / which shatters over and over / and still lives.”
The Timeless Influence of Milk and Honey in 2025
As milk and honey celebrates a decade of influence, its quotes continue to serve as powerful affirmations and a source of comfort for millions worldwide. The book’s success is a testament to the universal need for poetry that addresses difficult subjects like trauma and abuse with accessible language, making complex emotional truths feel simple and manageable.
The 2024/2025 anniversary edition and Rupi Kaur’s ongoing tour solidify the book’s status not just as a literary success but as a cultural touchstone that popularized poetry for the Instagram generation, transforming the landscape of modern literature. Whether you are revisiting the collection or discovering it for the first time, the verses offer invaluable insights into the journey from pain to survival, reminding every reader that the ultimate act of love is the love we give ourselves.
The minimalist style, coupled with the profound weight of the words, ensures that these quotes will remain essential for anyone navigating the complexities of modern love and the vital process of personal growth, cementing Rupi Kaur's legacy as a poetic voice for our time.
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