Courage consists not in blindly overlooking danger, but in seeing it, and conquering it.
Jean PaulRead
Universal love is a glove without fingers, which fits all bands alike and none closely; but true affection is like a glove with fingers, which fits one hand only, and sits close to that one.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Universal love is broad and non-specific, while true affection is personal and intimate.
In this quote, Jean Paul contrasts the idea of universal love with that of true affection. Universal love is described as a metaphorical glove without fingers that fits everyone but does not embrace anyone closely, symbolizing its lack of personal connection. In contrast, true affection is depicted as a glove with fingers, which is tailored to fit one hand perfectly, representing the deep, intimate bond and unique connection between individuals. This illustrates the importance of genuine affection in relationships compared to more general feelings of love.
Themes
LoveAffectionRelationshipIntimacyConnection
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech, to highlight the difference between love and true love.
More from Jean Paul
All quotes →Man's feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting and of farewell.
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A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes anothers.
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There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go.
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If self-knowledge is the road to virtue, so is virtue still more the road to self-knowledge.
Jean PaulRead
I would rather dwell in the dim fog of superstition than in air rarefied to nothing by the air-pump of unbelief-in which the panting breast expires, vainly and convulsively gasping for breath.
Jean PaulRead
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