Marriage has, for its share, usefulness, justice, honour…
“Marriage has, for its share, usefulness, justice, honour, and constancy; a stale but more durable pleasure. Love is grounded on pleasure alone, and it is indeed more gratifying to the senses, keener and more acute; a pleasure stirred and kept alive by difficulties. There must be a sting and a smart in it. It ceases to be love if it has no shafts and no fire.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love requires both pleasure and challenge; without difficulty it loses its depth.
In simple terms: Love needs pleasure and difficulty to stay alive.
Embrace challenges to deepen love.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage
- long‑term partnerships
- creative collaborations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What challenges strengthen your relationships?
- When does difficulty become destructive?
Too much difficulty can become harmful.