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The short and obscene sentence of Poseidonius about the…

“The short and obscene sentence of Poseidonius about the rubbing together of two small pieces of flesh, which I have seen you copy in your exercise books with the application of a good schoolboy, does no more to define the phenomenon of love than the cord touched by the finger accounts for the…” quote by Marguerite Yourcenar
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““The short and obscene sentence of Poseidonius about the rubbing together of two small pieces of flesh, which I have seen you copy in your exercise books with the application of a good schoolboy, does no more to define the phenomenon of love than the cord touched by the finger accounts for the infinite miracle of sounds. Such a dictum is less an insult to pleasure than to the flesh itself, that amazing instrument of muscles, blood, and skin, that red-tinged cloud whose lightning is the soul.””

Marguerite Yourcenar

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Love cannot be reduced to crude physical analogies; its essence transcends mere bodily description.

In simple terms: Love is deeper than physical touch.

Key Takeaway

Seek deeper understanding of love.

Themes

love philosophy human experience

Mood

reflective introspective

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • artistic expression
  • psychology
  • spiritual contemplation

Key Concepts

metaphysics embodiment sensory perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you experience love beyond the physical?
  • What non‑bodily aspects define love for you?
A Different Perspective

Physical analogies may oversimplify love's complexity.

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