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Love Quote by Edna O'Brien

“I cannot be certain what I would have said. I knew that there was something sad and faintly distasteful about love's ending, particularly love that has never been fully realised. I might have hinted at that, but I doubt it. In our deepest moments we say the most inadequate things." Edna O'Brien…” quote by Edna O'Brien
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““I cannot be certain what I would have said. I knew that there was something sad and faintly distasteful about love's ending, particularly love that has never been fully realised. I might have hinted at that, but I doubt it. In our deepest moments we say the most inadequate things." Edna O'Brien, short story "Sister Imelda", in "Returning".””

Edna O'Brien

About This Quote

Source Short Story: Sister Imelda in Returning by Edna O'Brien, 1995

The speaker reflects on love's unfulfilled potential, feeling sadness and inadequacy when expressing deep emotions.

In simple terms: Unrealized love feels sad and hard to express.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge the limits of language in love.

Themes

love sadness communication

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary emotional

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • confessional writing
  • intimate moments

Key Concepts

unfulfilled desire emotional inadequacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What words fail to convey love?
  • How do we cope with love's incompleteness?
A Different Perspective

May not capture the full depth of feeling.

3.7 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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