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Love, in the eyes of the world, is either a carnal appetite or a vague fancy, which possession extinguishes or absence destroys. That is why it is commonly said, with a strange abuse of words, that passion does not endure.
Victor Hugo
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Love is often misunderstood as mere desire or frivolous emotion, and its true essence can fade with possession or separation.

In this quote, Victor Hugo critiques the superficial understanding of love that society often holds. He emphasizes how love is reduced to a physical desire or fleeting whim, which can be extinguished by possession or destroyed by absence. Hugo suggests that this narrow view fails to capture the true, enduring nature of love, which goes beyond mere passion and desires a deeper connection. He points out the irony in labeling passion as something that does not last, when in reality, it is the depth of true love that transcends time and circumstance.

Themes

LovePassionDesireRelationshipEndurance

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used at a wedding ceremony to reflect on the deeper meaning of love.

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