Confuse not love with the raptures of possession, which…
“Confuse not love with the raptures of possession, which bring the cruellest of sufferings. For, notwithstanding the general opinion, love does not cause suffering: what causes it is the sense of ownership, which is love's opposite.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love becomes suffering when it turns into ownership; true love is free of possessiveness.
In simple terms: Love without ownership avoids suffering.
Practice loving without clinging.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- relationships
- parenting
- friendships
- team dynamics
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you distinguish love from possessive attachment?
- What practices foster non‑possessive love?
Some may argue that attachment can be healthy and not always cause suffering.