One can imagine the look the two lovers exchanged; it was like a flame, for virtuous lovers have not a shred of hypocrisy.
Honore De BalzacRead
If the human heart sometimes finds moments of pause as it ascends the slopes of affection, it rarely halts on the way down.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that while love can bring moments of reflection, it is often a rapid descent into emotional challenges once affection fades.
Honore De Balzac's quote highlights the complex nature of love and affection, indicating that during the highs of romance, there may be moments of introspection and calm. However, as relationships become strained or end, the decline is typically swift and devoid of the thoughtful pauses experienced during more harmonious times.
Themes
LoveAffectionEmotionRelationshipsReflection
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding speech, to emphasize the ups and downs of love.
More from Honore De Balzac
All quotes βLoyalty in time of need is possibly one of the noblest of victories a courtier can win over himself.
Honore De BalzacRead
Marriage must incessantly contend with a monster that devours everything: familiarity.
Honore De BalzacRead
Who is to decide which is the grimmer sight: withered hearts, or empty skulls?
Honore De BalzacRead
However gross a man may be, the minute he expresses a strong and genuine affection, some inner secretion alters his features, animates his gestures, and colors his voice. The stupidest man will often, under the stress of passion, achieve heights of eloquence, in thought if not in language, and seem to move in some luminous sphere. Goriot's voice and gesture had at this moment the power of communication that characterizes the great actor. Are not our finer feelings the poems of the human will?
Honore De BalzacRead
Love is a religion, and its rituals cost more than those of other religions. It goes by quickly and, like a street urchin, it likes to mark its passage by a trail of devastation.
Honore De BalzacRead
Similar quotes
The Savior taught us to love not only our friends but also those who disagree with us- and even those who repudiate us.
Neil L. AndersenRead
Crying adds something: crying is you, plus tears. But the feeling Colin had was some horrible opposite of crying. It was you, minus something. He kept thinking about one word - forever - and felt the burning ache just beneath his rib cage.
John GreenRead
Love is a continual interrogation. I donβt know of a better definition of love.
Milan KunderaRead
Don't do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul.
Henry RollinsRead
But he who loveliness within Hath found, all outward loathes, For he who color loves, and skin, Loves but their oldest clothes.
John DonneRead
I will tell you that when I was heavy, people would say to me - and it was such a backhanded compliment - they would say, 'You've got such a beautiful face,' in the way of, like, 'Oh, isn't it a shame that from the neck down you're questionable.'
Kate WinsletRead