---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you are the object of a person's…"
description: "\"“When you are the object of a person's affection, do you naturally credit him with a sympathetic heart and an understanding of the world? Perhaps your ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png"
---

#  When you are the object of a person's affection, do you…

![“When you are the object of a person's affection, do you naturally credit him with a sympathetic heart and an understanding of the world? Perhaps your impression is right only insofar as it applies to you; in his presence, he is indeed possessed of these qualities for the very reason that you are…” quote by Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png)

> ““When you are the object of a person's affection, do you naturally credit him with a sympathetic heart and an understanding of the world? Perhaps your impression is right only insofar as it applies to you; in his presence, he is indeed possessed of these qualities for the very reason that you are the object of his affection. He is not observant so much as observant of you, not kind so much as kind toward you.””

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

## About This Quote

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

Affection can bias our perception, making us see the beloved as more empathetic and wise than they truly are, because we are the focus of their attention.

**In simple terms:** Love skews how we view others.

Key Takeaway

Recognize bias when judging loved ones.

Themes

perception affection bias

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

- romantic relationships
- friendships
- team dynamics
- leadership
- personal reflection

Key Concepts

psychology subjectivity

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you assume others' qualities based on your relationship?
- How can you see someone objectively?

A Different Perspective

People may still be kind to others, not just you.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/)

## Related quotes

> [In the face of true love you don't just give up - even if the object of your affection is begging you to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-face-of-true-love-you-don-t-just-give-up-even-if-the-object-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [In dread fear of sentimentality, another thing true is not said-that for its staff the paper is a source of pride and, I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-ochs-sulzberger/in-dread-fear-of-sentimentality-another-thing-true-is-not-said-that/)

[Arthur Ochs Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-ochs-sulzberger/)

> [But one thing about human beings puzzles me the most is their conscious effort to be connected with the object of their affection even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/but-one-thing-about-human-beings-puzzles-me-the-most-is-their/)

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

> [“The God of Imagination lived in fairytales. And the best fairytales made you fall in love. It was while flicking through "Sleeping Beauty" that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diriye-osman/the-god-of-imagination-lived-in-fairytales-and-the-best-fairytales/)

[Diriye Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diriye-osman/)

> [LOVE: either your in or your out...there can be no in between and expect the object of your affection to accept less than what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-hill/love-either-your-in-or-your-out-there-can-be-no-in-between-and-expect/)

[Nicole Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-hill/)

> [The technique of a great seducer requires a facility and an indifference in passing from one object of affection to another which I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-yourcenar/the-technique-of-a-great-seducer-requires-a-facility-and-an/)

[Marguerite Yourcenar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-yourcenar/)

> [When you're the object of everyone's affection, make no mistake about it: you are an object. People don't have any interest in loving you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennette-mccurdy/when-you-re-the-object-of-everyone-s-affection-make-no-mistake-about/)

[Jennette McCurdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennette-mccurdy/)

> [The lover is made happier by his love than the object of his affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-lover-is-made-happier-by-his-love-than-the-object-of-his-affection/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Human beings are funny. They long to be with the person they love but refuse to admit openly. Some are afraid to show even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/human-beings-are-funny-they-long-to-be-with-the-person-they-love-but-2/)

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

> [“People are most similar to God when he is the object of their affection. People should delight in God, as he does in himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-t-welch/people-are-most-similar-to-god-when-he-is-the-object-of-their/)

[Edward t. Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-t-welch/)

> [“Love makes you helpless,” Daniela said. “You think about the object of your affection all the time. Your happiness or misery depends on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/love-makes-you-helpless-daniela-said-you-think-about-the-object-of/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [I love you. You are the object of my affection and the object of my sentence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-fogarty/i-love-you-you-are-the-object-of-my-affection-and-the-object-of-my/)

Mignon Fogarty

> [I often think about what love can inspire in the world, not just in the eyes of the object of your affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-often-think-about-what-love-can-inspire-in-the-world-not-just-in/)

[Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/)

> [Love is an optical illusion that makes you believe the object of your affection is the most beautiful person in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-holt/love-is-an-optical-illusion-that-makes-you-believe-the-object-of-your/)

[Tom Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-holt/)

> [My team and I have reunited two elements that coexist with diffiulty: respect and affection, because when they love you they don't respect you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/my-team-and-i-have-reunited-two-elements-that-coexist-with-diffiulty/)

[Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/)

## More by Curtis Sittenfeld

> [The best part of being a writer for me is immersing myself in a fictional world, which is the opposite of being on social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/the-best-part-of-being-a-writer-for-me-is-immersing-myself-in-a/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [“I think adults forget just how much faith teenagers can have in them, just how willing to believe that adults, by virtue of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-think-adults-forget-just-how-much-faith-teenagers-can-have-in-them/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [“She came down to my dorm that night, knocking on the door around nine o'clock. Martha was at the library, and I was eating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/she-came-down-to-my-dorm-that-night-knocking-on-the-door-around-nine/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [My boarding school experience was the only thing I had strong enough feelings to write about for hundreds and hundreds of pages. I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/my-boarding-school-experience-was-the-only-thing-i-had-strong-enough/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [Of course a magazine is usually more interesting than a conversation, because so much more time and preparation has gone into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/of-course-a-magazine-is-usually-more-interesting-than-a-conversation/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [I feel that Pride and Prejudice is an incredibly well constructed novel on every level. The dialogue is great. The character development is great.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-feel-that-pride-and-prejudice-is-an-incredibly-well-constructed/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [I should probably be careful admitting this, but sometimes, when my characters are having a disagreement, it's a disagreement I'm having with myself. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-should-probably-be-careful-admitting-this-but-sometimes-when-my/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [“Approaching each other, him from the gym, me from the library- this was when I walked down the aisle and he was waiting, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/approaching-each-other-him-from-the-gym-me-from-the-library-this-was/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [After I’d told her – the mall, the taxi, Cross stroking my hair – she said, ‘Did he kiss you?’ ‘John and Martin totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/after-i-d-told-her-the-mall-the-taxi-cross-stroking-my-hair-she-said/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [There's an ongoing 'water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink' situation at my house in terms of both pens and paper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/there-s-an-ongoing-water-water-everywhere-and-not-a-drop-to-drink/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [She opened her mouth but did not immediately speak, and I felt, simultaneously, the impulse to coax the words from her and the impulse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/she-opened-her-mouth-but-did-not-immediately-speak-and-i-felt/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [“But the truth was that I didn't want to stay in Riley. The pulls of familial love and obligation could not, for the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/but-the-truth-was-that-i-didn-t-want-to-stay-in-riley-the-pulls-of/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [“Profii de aici le-au vazut pe toate. Noi ne percepem ca individualitati distincte, dar in ochii lor nu suntem decat o masa de nevoi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/profii-de-aici-le-au-vazut-pe-toate-noi-ne-percepem-ca/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [When I was writing my first two books I was also freelancing and teaching and doing other odd jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/when-i-was-writing-my-first-two-books-i-was-also-freelancing-and/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [“When I think of Henry and Oliver and Mike, I feel as if they are three different models - templates, almost - and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/when-i-think-of-henry-and-oliver-and-mike-i-feel-as-if-they-are-three/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

[Explore all 212 Curtis Sittenfeld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

## More Affection quotes

> [My team and I have reunited two elements that coexist with diffiulty: respect and affection, because when they love you they don't respect you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/my-team-and-i-have-reunited-two-elements-that-coexist-with-diffiulty/)

[Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/)

> [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/)

[Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/)

> [“It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/it-is-to-build-a-house-with-affection-even-as-if-your-beloved-were-to/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/)

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

> [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [A lost love. Deny it who will, ridicule it, treat it as mere imagination and sentiment, the thing is and will be; and women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/a-lost-love-deny-it-who-will-ridicule-it-treat-it-as-mere-imagination/)

[Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/)

> [Affection! Affection is false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/affection-affection-is-false/)

[Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/)

> [We are a spectacular, splendid manifestation of life. We have language. . . . We have affection. We have genes for usefulness, and usefulness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-a-spectacular-splendid-manifestation-of-life-we-have-language/)

[Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/)

> [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/)

[David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/)

> [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [I am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/i-am-persuaded-that-there-is-no-affection-of-the-human-heart-more/)

[Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/)

> [If you live in a material universe where acquiring things is very important to you, then family is an absolute deterrent to maintaining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor-gatto/if-you-live-in-a-material-universe-where-acquiring-things-is-very/)

[John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/)

> [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/)

[Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/)

> [“Georgia O’Keeffe moved to rural New Mexico, from which she would sign her letters to the people she loved, “from the faraway nearby.” It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/georgia-o-keeffe-moved-to-rural-new-mexico-from-which-she-would-sign/)

[Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/)

[Browse all 2,465 Affection quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“When you are the object of a person's affection, do you naturally credit him with a sympathetic heart and an understanding of the world? Perhaps your impression is right only insofar as it applies to you; in his presence, he is indeed possessed of these qualities for the very reason that you are the object of his affection. He is not observant so much as observant of you, not kind so much as kind toward you.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Curtis Sittenfeld"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-affection-do-you-naturally/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Affection"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-affection-do-you-naturally/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/curtis-sittenfeld-1731_affection_when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-af_264503.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you are the object of a person's affection, do you naturally credit him with a sympathetic heart and an…” — Curtis Sittenfeld",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Curtis Sittenfeld",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“When you are the object of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-affection-do-you-naturally/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/when-you-are-the-object-of-a-person-s-affection-do-you-naturally/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
