You say it is a simple thing surely, all gain and no loss…
““You say it is a simple thing surely, all gain and no loss, to pick up a good-looking woman and head for the beach on the first day of the year. So say the newspaper poets. Well it is not such a simple thing and if you have ever done it, you know it isn't--unless, of course, the woman happens to be your wife or some other everyday creature so familiar to you that she is as invisible as you yourself. Where there is chance of gain, there is also chance of loss. Whenever one courts great happiness, one also risks malaise. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Chasing idealized romance without recognizing everyday realities leads to disappointment; true happiness often lies in familiar, ordinary relationships.
In simple terms: Seeking excitement can bring loss; ordinary love is safe.
Key Takeaway
Value familiar love over fleeting thrills.
Themes
love
risk
reality
expectation
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- dating
- marriage
- new year celebrations
- beach trips
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you chase excitement over stability?
- How does familiarity protect against loss?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing strangers can cause heartbreak.