Used book – La grammaire est une chanson douce, Erik Orsenna

"There it was, motionless on its bed, the well-known, all-too-well-known little phrase: I love you.

Three thin, pale words, so pale. The seven letters barely stood out against the whiteness of the sheets.

It seemed to me that it was smiling at us, the little phrase.

It seemed to me that it was speaking to us:

"I'm a little tired. Apparently, I've worked too hard. I need to rest."

"Come now, I love you," Mr. Henri replied, "I know you. You've been around for so long. You're strong. A few days of rest and you'll be back on your feet."

Mr. Henri was as distraught as I was.

Everyone says and repeats "I love you." We need to be careful with words. Not to repeat them all the time. Nor to use them indiscriminately, one for another, telling lies. Otherwise, words wear out. And sometimes, it's too late to save them."