The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The first lover is kept a long while, when no offer is made of a second.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The first romantic relationship often lasts longer when no additional offers for love come along.
This quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld suggests that the duration of a first romantic relationship can be extended if no other romantic opportunities present themselves. It implies that the lack of alternatives can lead to a sense of loyalty or attachment to the first lover, regardless of the quality or depth of that love.
Themes
LoveRelationshipsAttachmentLoyaltyRomance
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding speech, a friend might say this to emphasize the uniqueness of first love.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes βOld men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
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