The truth of the matter is that—by an exorbitant paradox—I…
““The truth of the matter is that—by an exorbitant paradox—I never stop believing that I am loved. I hallucinate what I desire. Each wound proceeds less from a doubt than from a betrayal: for only the one who loves can betray, only the one who believes himself loved can be jealous: that the other, episodically, should fail in his being, which is to love me—that is the origin of all my woes. A delirium, however, does not exist unless one wakens from it(there are only retrospective deliriums): one day, I realize what has happened to me: I thought I was suffering from not being loved, and yet it is because I thought I was loved that I was suffering; I lived in the complication of supposing myself simultaneously loved and abandoned. Anyone hearing my intimate language would have had to exclaim, as of a difficult child: But after all, what does he want?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage explores the paradox of love, jealousy, and self‑deception, suggesting that belief in being loved can cause suffering.
In simple terms: Believing you are loved can create pain and jealousy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how self‑belief shapes emotional pain.
Themes
love
jealousy
self‑deception
paradox
Mood
introspective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- self‑reflection
- writing about love
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate love with possession?
- How does self‑belief affect your relationships?
A Different Perspective
Love can be self‑inflicted when expectations are unrealistic.