Enough time Quote by Aaron T. Beck
““When married people develop such an intense but inappropriate fixation to somebody other than their mate, they may be driven to jeopardize or even destroy a reasonable marital relationship. In the heat of passion, they seem incapable of attaching any real weight to the potentially disastrous consequences of their infatuation—the possible breakup of their marriage. They cannot “turn off” their infatuation even if they want to! Yet, when enough time has elapsed without their seeing “the other woman (or man),” they generally find that their infatuation dies down.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Cognitive Therapy of Depression, 1979
Intense infatuation can threaten marriage, but fades over time without contact.
In simple terms: Obsessive attraction can harm relationships but usually wanes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage infatuation to protect marriage.
Themes
relationships
infatuation
marriage
selfcontrol
psychology
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
therapeutic
advisory
When to use this quote
- marital counseling
- personal reflection
- relationship education
- self‑monitoring
Key Concepts
attachment theory
cognitive distortion
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help redirect obsessive thoughts?
- How can couples strengthen boundaries?
A Different Perspective
Strong emotions may persist despite rational intent.
![“[On married love] This love is above all fully human, a compound of sense and spirit. It is not, then, merely a question of natural instinct or emotional drive. It is also, and above all, an act of the free will, whose trust is such that it is meant not only to survive the joys and sorrows of…” quote by Pope Paul VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa4/pope-paul-vi-7633_catholicism_on-married-love-this-love-is-above-all-f_3092722.jpg)
![“Over the long haul, many of those people [in a difficult marriage] will begin to reciprocate, because you are meeting a basic need in their life, the need for love, and they know they don't deserve love many times.” quote by Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0e6/gary-chapman-1325_basic-needs_over-the-long-haul-many-of-those-people_2162059.jpg)
