Skip to content

My dear friend! what is there extraordinary in that? They…

“My dear friend! what is there extraordinary in that? They are all in love with some other man. Who gets the first of a woman’s heart? In all my experience I have never yet met with the man who was Number One. Number Two, sometimes. Number Three, Four, Five, often. Number One, never! He exists, of…” quote by Wilkie Collins
Download Open image
““My dear friend! what is there extraordinary in that? They are all in love with some other man. Who gets the first of a woman’s heart? In all my experience I have never yet met with the man who was Number One. Number Two, sometimes. Number Three, Four, Five, often. Number One, never! He exists, of course—but, I have not met with him.””

Wilkie Collins

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator observes that true love is rare; most men settle for secondary roles, never achieving the ideal of being the primary love.

In simple terms: True love is elusive.

Key Takeaway

Seek genuine connection, not just convenience.

Themes

love expectations relationships

Mood

thoughtful melancholy

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • dating
  • marriage counseling
  • friendship
  • self‑reflection

Key Concepts

philosophy human nature

Questions to Reflect On

  • What defines a “first” love for you?
  • Are you settling for secondary affection?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing love can lead to disappointment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Wilkie Collins

Explore all 183 Wilkie Collins quotes

More Dear friend quotes

Browse all 471 Dear friend quotes