. Sometimes, but only for a moment, I saw a faint solitary…
““. Sometimes, but only for a moment, I saw a faint solitary figure with a Rosa veiled face, and carrying a faint torch, flit among the dancers, but like a dream within a dream, like a shadow of a shadow, and I knew by an understanding born from a deeper fountain than thought, that it was Eros himself, and that his face was veiled because no man or woman from the beginning of the world has ever known what love is, or looked into his eyes, for Eros alone of divinities is altogether a spirit, and hides in passions not of his essence if he would commune with a mortal heart. So that if a man love nobly he knows love through infinite pity, unspeakable trust, unending sympathy; and if ignobly through vehement jealousy, sudden hatred, and unappeasable desire; but unveiled love he never knows.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love is an unknowable, veiled divine force; noble love arises from compassion, while base love stems from jealousy
In simple terms: Love is mysterious and divine
Key Takeaway
Pursue compassionate, self‑less love
Themes
love
divinity
humanity
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- artistic creation
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
philosophy
mythology
emotion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does jealousy distort love?
- Can love ever be fully understood?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing love may ignore human imperfections