what we love is too much in the past, consists too much in…
““what we love is too much in the past, consists too much in the time that we have spent together for us to require the whole woman; we wish only to be sure that it is she, not to be mistaken as to her identity, a thing far more important than beauty to those who are in love; her cheeks may grow hollow, her body thin, even to those who were originally most proud, in the eyes of the world, of their domination over beauty, that little tip of a nose, that sign in which is summed up the permanent personality of a woman, that algebraical formula, that constant, is sufficient to prevent a man who is courted in the highest society and is in love with her from being free upon a single evening because he is spending his evenings in brushing and entangling, until it is time to go to bed, the hair of the woman whom he loves, or simply in staying by her side, so that he may be with her or she with him, or merely that she may not be with other people.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love focuses on a woman's enduring identity rather than fleeting beauty, valuing constancy over appearance.
In simple terms: Love values inner identity more than looks.
Key Takeaway
Cherish lasting traits over superficial appeal.
Themes
love
identity
beauty
age
society
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- long‑term relationships
- marriage
- dating
- social gatherings
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize true character beyond appearance?
- What aspects of love endure over time?
A Different Perspective
Superficial attraction can still dominate decisions despite deeper values.