QuoteProject
I know that you're selfish, selfish beyond words, and I know that you haven't the nerve of a rabbit, I know you're a liar and a humbug, I know that you're utterly contemptible. And the tragic part is'--her face was on a sudden distraught with pain--'the tragic part is that notwithstanding I love you with all my heart.
W. Somerset Maugham
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses the complexity of love, highlighting how one can love someone despite recognizing their flaws.

In this poignant quote, the speaker confronts the paradox of love, acknowledging the deep flaws and negative traits of a loved one while still professing an unwavering affection for them. This duality captures the essence of love as it often involves accepting imperfections and contradictions, showcasing how love can coexist with disillusionment and disappointment. The emotional struggle depicted illustrates the depth of human relationships, where love can both uplift and cause profound pain.

Themes

LoveFlawsAcceptanceSacrificeEmotions

In practice

Example use cases

During a heartfelt conversation about relationships, one might use this quote to emphasize unconditional love.

More from W. Somerset Maugham

The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
Cronshaw stopped for a moment to drink. He had pondered for twenty years the problem whether he loved liquor because it made him talk or whether he loved conversation because it made him thirsty.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
Are you sure you can prevent yourself from falling in love one of these days? Such things do happen, you know, even to the most prudent men.' Simon gave him a strange, one might even have thought a hostile, look. I should tear it out of my heart as I'd wrench out of my mouth a rotten tooth.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
There in the mist, enormous, majestic, silent and terrible, stood the Great Wall of China. Solitarily, with the indifference of nature herself, it crept up the mountain side and slipped down to the depth of the valley.
W. Somerset MaughamRead

Similar quotes

Who mocks at music mocks at love.
William Butler YeatsRead
If you love a flower that lives on a star, it is sweet to look at the sky at night. All the stars are a-bloom with flowers.
Antoine De Saint-ExuperyRead
Love one another. We don't need more instructions; we need more examples.
Bob GoffRead
The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
William WordsworthRead
The Cross will be for us as it was for Christ: proof of the greatest love.
Mother TeresaRead
I remember every single spot of light that ever gouged a shadow beside your bones.
Zelda FitzgeraldRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.