Humanity is not perfect in any fashion; no more in the case of evil than in that of good. The criminal has his virtues, just as the honest man has his weaknesses.
Pierre Choderlos De LaclosRead
It has become necessary for me to have this woman, so as to save myself from the ridicule of being in love with her: for to what lengths will a man not be driven by thwarted desire?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker feels compelled to pursue a romantic relationship to avoid embarrassment and reflects on the extremes one may go to for unfulfilled desire.
This quote from Pierre Choderlos De Laclos captures the complex interplay between desire and social perception. It highlights how intense emotions, particularly love, can drive individuals to take drastic measures to avoid ridicule or societal judgment, suggesting that the fear of being hurt or mocked can sometimes overshadow genuine feelings and lead to actions that may seem irrational.
Themes
LoveDesireRidiculeEmotionsRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a romantic gathering might use this quote to illustrate the lengths people go to in love.
More from Pierre Choderlos De Laclos
All quotes βCast between the extremes of happiness and misfortune, uncertainty is a cruel torment.
Pierre Choderlos De LaclosRead
I am astonished at the pleasure one experiences in doing good; and I should be tempted to believe that what we call virtuous people have not so much merit as they lead us to suppose.
Pierre Choderlos De LaclosRead
It was there, in particular, that I confirmed the truth that love, which we cry up as the source of our pleasures, is nothing more than an excuse for them.
Pierre Choderlos De LaclosRead
...it is not for the illusion of a moment to govern the choice of a lifetime.
Pierre Choderlos De LaclosRead
How characteristic of your perverse heart that longs only for what happens to be out of reach.
Pierre Choderlos De LaclosRead
Similar quotes
i have found what you are like the rain (Who feathers frightened fields with the superior dust-of-sleep. wields easily the pale club of the wind and swirled justly souls of flower strike the air in utterable coolness deeds of gren thrilling light with thinned newfragile yellows lurch and.press --in the woods which stutter and sing And the coolness of your smile is stirringofbirds between my arms;but i should rather than anything have(almost when hugeness will shut quietly)almost, your kiss
E. E. CummingsRead
But one kiss levitates above all the others. The intersection of function and desire. The I do kiss. The Iβll love you through a brick wall kiss. Even when Iβm dead, Iβll swim through the Earth, like a mermaid of the soil, just to be next to your bones.
Jeffrey McdanielRead
In the sea of love, I melt like salt Faith, Doubt - they both dissolve. A star is opening in my heart . The worlds turn in it.
RumiRead
They were so close to each other that they preferred death to separation.
Gabriel Garcia MarquezRead
Hatred is blind, as well as love.
Oscar WildeRead
My heart is burning with love. All I can see is this flame. My heart is burning with passion, like waves on an ocean. I'm at home, wherever I am. And in the room of lovers, I can see with closed eyes the beauty that dances. Behind the veils, intoxicated with love, I too dance the rhythm of this moving world.
RumiRead