---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he…"
description: "\"“Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he asked quietly. “That peculiar sort of mutual passion?” The one-sided kind was common enough.”\" — Diana Gabaldon"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg"
---

#  Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he asked quietly…

![“Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he asked quietly. “That peculiar sort of mutual passion?” The one-sided kind was common enough.” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg)

> ““Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he asked quietly. “That peculiar sort of mutual passion?” The one-sided kind was common enough.””

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

## About This Quote

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

Rare mutual passion is uncommon, while one‑sided affection is frequent.

**In simple terms:** Mutual love is rare; one‑sided love is common.

Key Takeaway

Seek balanced relationships.

Themes

love rarity relationships

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

philosophical romantic

When to use this quote

- romantic partnerships
- friendships
- online dating

Key Concepts

mutual affection unrequited love

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you value mutual respect over intensity?
- How can you recognize one‑sided affection?

A Different Perspective

One‑sided love can become toxic if unexamined.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [There's only one kind of common sense but a thousand varieties of stupidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/there-s-only-one-kind-of-common-sense-but-a-thousand-varieties-of/)

[Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/)

> [As a consequence, I think of the idea of 'common practice' at any time as something that can only be seen by looking backwards.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-higdon/as-a-consequence-i-think-of-the-idea-of-common-practice-at-any-time/)

[Jennifer Higdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-higdon/)

> [“You’re too smart not to know how rare, how special, what you two had was.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-aciman/you-re-too-smart-not-to-know-how-rare-how-special-what-you-two-had-was/)

[André Aciman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-aciman/)

> [I know I'm a rare person, a trained scientist who writes fiction, because so few contemporary novelists engage with science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/i-know-i-m-a-rare-person-a-trained-scientist-who-writes-fiction/)

[Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/)

> [Many of the earth's habitats, animals, plants, insects and even micro-organisms that we know to be rare may not be known at all by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/many-of-the-earth-s-habitats-animals-plants-insects-and-even-micro/)

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

> [“Why are you interested in me?” He asked quietly. Hmm. How to answer that one? I didn’t want to tell him that I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-meredith-walters/why-are-you-interested-in-me-he-asked-quietly-hmm-how-to-answer-that/)

[A. Meredith Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-meredith-walters/)

> [“What’s so unusual about that, princess?” he asked quietly. “Do you know how your story ends?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/what-s-so-unusual-about-that-princess-he-asked-quietly-do-you-know/)

[Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/)

> [“Her mouth lifted from his, a few inches. “What makes you think…” Iona asked him quietly, “that I would let you die by any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-eden/her-mouth-lifted-from-his-a-few-inches-what-makes-you-think-iona/)

[Cynthia Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-eden/)

> [“We have to learn something from what came before.” “What’s that?” she asked quietly. “We have to learn, even when it gets hard, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/we-have-to-learn-something-from-what-came-before-what-s-that-she/)

[Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/)

> [“You still trying to save me, Mallory?" Ty asked quietly. Her heart was hammering so loud she couldn't hear herself talk. "I can't seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/you-still-trying-to-save-me-mallory-ty-asked-quietly-her-heart-was/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“Why are you helping me?” she asked quietly. “Because Oscar is here,” he responded automatically. “And he’s one of us. The real question is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-washington/why-are-you-helping-me-she-asked-quietly-because-oscar-is-here-he/)

[Jane Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-washington/)

> [“Which man, Fitz?" I asked quietly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/which-man-fitz-i-asked-quietly/)

[Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/)

> [“She makes you happy, son?" he asked quietly. "No," I said, shaking my head. "She makes me whole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mclean/she-makes-you-happy-son-he-asked-quietly-no-i-said-shaking-my-head/)

[Jay McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mclean/)

> [“What are you feeling?” he asked quietly. “Like I wish things were different right now.” I shrugged helplessly, giving in to it. “For us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-harlow/what-are-you-feeling-he-asked-quietly-like-i-wish-things-were/)

[Melanie Harlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-harlow/)

> [That's actually a rare thing to be on a set full of people that you admire and make you laugh all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/that-s-actually-a-rare-thing-to-be-on-a-set-full-of-people-that-you/)

[Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/)

## More by Diana Gabaldon

> [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

[Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

## More Asked Quietly quotes

> [“What are you feeling?” he asked quietly. “Like I wish things were different right now.” I shrugged helplessly, giving in to it. “For us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-harlow/what-are-you-feeling-he-asked-quietly-like-i-wish-things-were/)

[Melanie Harlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-harlow/)

> [“She makes you happy, son?" he asked quietly. "No," I said, shaking my head. "She makes me whole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mclean/she-makes-you-happy-son-he-asked-quietly-no-i-said-shaking-my-head/)

[Jay McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mclean/)

> [“Which man, Fitz?" I asked quietly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/which-man-fitz-i-asked-quietly/)

[Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/)

> [“Why are you helping me?” she asked quietly. “Because Oscar is here,” he responded automatically. “And he’s one of us. The real question is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-washington/why-are-you-helping-me-she-asked-quietly-because-oscar-is-here-he/)

[Jane Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-washington/)

> [“We have to learn something from what came before.” “What’s that?” she asked quietly. “We have to learn, even when it gets hard, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/we-have-to-learn-something-from-what-came-before-what-s-that-she/)

[Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/)

> [“Her mouth lifted from his, a few inches. “What makes you think…” Iona asked him quietly, “that I would let you die by any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-eden/her-mouth-lifted-from-his-a-few-inches-what-makes-you-think-iona/)

[Cynthia Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-eden/)

> [“What’s so unusual about that, princess?” he asked quietly. “Do you know how your story ends?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/what-s-so-unusual-about-that-princess-he-asked-quietly-do-you-know/)

[Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/)

> [“Why are you interested in me?” He asked quietly. Hmm. How to answer that one? I didn’t want to tell him that I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-meredith-walters/why-are-you-interested-in-me-he-asked-quietly-hmm-how-to-answer-that/)

[A. Meredith Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-meredith-walters/)

> [“You still trying to save me, Mallory?" Ty asked quietly. Her heart was hammering so loud she couldn't hear herself talk. "I can't seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/you-still-trying-to-save-me-mallory-ty-asked-quietly-her-heart-was/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

Browse all 10 Asked Quietly quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he asked quietly. “That peculiar sort of mutual passion?” The one-sided kind was common enough.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Diana Gabaldon"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he-asked-quietly-that-peculiar/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Asked Quietly"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he-asked-quietly-that-peculiar/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf1/diana-gabaldon-185_asked-quietly_do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he_2700035.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Do you know how rare such a thing is?” he asked quietly. “That peculiar sort of mutual passion?” The…” — Diana Gabaldon",
                "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": "Diana Gabaldon",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Do you know how rare such...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he-asked-quietly-that-peculiar/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/do-you-know-how-rare-such-a-thing-is-he-asked-quietly-that-peculiar/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
