Two bodies attract each other directly as the product of…
““Two bodies attract each other directly as the product of their masses and inversely as the square of their distance.' It sounds like a rule for simple physical facts, does it not? Yet it is nothing of the sort; it was the poetical way the old ones had of expressing the rule of propinquity which governs the emotion of love. The bodies referred to are human bodies, mass is their capacity for love. Young people have a greater capacity for love than the elderly; when thy are thrown together they fall in love, yet when they are separated they soon get over it. 'Out of sight, out of mind.' It's as simple as that. But you were seeking some deep meaning for it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love follows a natural law similar to gravity: proximity increases attraction, distance weakens it, but the law is metaphorical, not literal.
In simple terms: Love works like gravity: close people fall together, apart they drift.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate closeness, but accept that distance can lessen love.
Themes
love
proximity
human connection
physics metaphor
Mood
hopeful
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- relationships
- long‑distance friendships
- team building
- community events
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain emotional bonds despite physical separation?
- What actions deepen connection beyond proximity?
A Different Perspective
Physical distance isn’t the only factor; emotional distance can persist even when close.