Alive Quote by Cyril Connolly
“A mutually fulfilled sexual union between two people is the rarest sensation which life can provide. But it is not quite real. It stops when the telephone rings. Such a passion can be kept at its early strength only by adding to it either more and more unhappiness (jealousy, separation, doubt, renunciation), or more and more artificiality (drink, technique, stage-illusions). Whoever has missed this has never lived, who lives for it alone is but partly alive.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Unbelievable Story of the Man Who Wasn't There, 1955
A deep, intense intimacy is fleeting, often disrupted by everyday distractions, and people try to preserve it through drama or artificial means, which ultimately undermines its authenticity.
In simple terms: Intense intimacy fades quickly and is often spoiled by distractions or forced drama.
Key Takeaway
Cherish genuine connection without trying to manufacture intensity.
Themes
intimacy
distraction
authenticity
human desire
relationships
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- personal reflection
- creative expression
- media influence
Key Concepts
psychology of love
existential longing
social disruption
Questions to Reflect On
- How do everyday interruptions affect deep connections?
- Can forced drama ever replace natural intimacy?
A Different Perspective
Artificial attempts to sustain passion can make it feel less real and may cause emotional strain.
![“The ceaseless interplay of heaven and earth gives form to all things. The sexual union of male and female gives life to all things. This interaction of yin and yang is called the Way [Tao], and the resulting creative process is called change.” quote by I-Ching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e3c/i-ching-2-55168_creative-process_the-ceaseless-interplay-of-heaven-and-ea_1772443.jpg)
![“One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country. It's not okay. It's a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be. [Sex] is supposed to be within marriage. It's…” quote by Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aef/rick-santorum-1840_conjugal_one-of-the-things-i-will-talk-about-that_704914.jpg)
