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Good man Quote by Carson McCullers

“The most outlandish people can be the stimulus for love...A most mediocre person can be the object of a love which is wild, extravagant, and beautiful as the poison lilies of the swamp. A good man may be the stimulus for a love both violent and debased, or a jabbering madman may bring about in the…” quote by Carson McCullers
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““The most outlandish people can be the stimulus for love...A most mediocre person can be the object of a love which is wild, extravagant, and beautiful as the poison lilies of the swamp. A good man may be the stimulus for a love both violent and debased, or a jabbering madman may bring about in the soul of someone a tender and simple idyll. Therefore, the value and quality of any love is determined solely by the lover himself. It is for this reason that most of us would rather love than be loved. Almost everyone wants to be the lover. And the curt truth is that, in a deep secret way, the state of being beloved is intolerable to many. ””

Carson McCullers

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, 1940

Love’s value is set by the lover’s perception, not the beloved’s qualities, making love a self‑created experience.

In simple terms: Love is defined by the lover, not the loved.

Key Takeaway

Recognize love as a personal creation.

Themes

love self‑perception desire power dynamics

Mood

reflective introspective melancholic

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • personal growth
  • self‑reflection
  • artistic expression

Key Concepts

subjectivity psychology identity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your self‑image shape the love you seek?
  • Do you prefer being the lover or the beloved?
A Different Perspective

Love’s intensity can be limited by unrealistic expectations.

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