It's really very simple. If you tell a beautiful woman…
““It's really very simple. If you tell a beautiful woman that she is beautiful, what have you given her? It's no more than a fact and it has cost you nothing. But if you tell an ugly woman she is beautiful, you offer her great homage of corrupting the concept of beauty. To love a woman for her virtues is meaningless. She's earned it, it's a payment, not a gift. But to love her for her vices is a real gift, unearned and undeserved. To love her for her vices is to defile all virtue for her sake - and that is a real tribute of love, because you sacrifice your conscience, your reason, your integrity and your invaluable self-esteem... What's love, darling, if it's not self-sacrifice?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love that demands self‑sacrifice corrupts virtue, turning affection into a harmful tribute rather than genuine appreciation.
In simple terms: Loving for vices corrupts virtue and becomes self‑destructive.
Key Takeaway
Beware love that demands you to betray your integrity.
Themes
love
virtue
self‑sacrifice
integrity
beauty
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- personal growth
- self‑esteem
- moral dilemmas
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever sacrifice your principles for love?
- Is love without self‑sacrifice truly love?
A Different Perspective
Such love may erode personal values and self‑respect.