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Betrothed Quote by Elizabeth Elliott

“For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her. He could not imagine a day without hearing the soft, sultry sound of her voice, of smelling roses and finding himself completely distracted by her scent, by the gentle sway of her hips, the…” quote by Elizabeth Elliott
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““For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her. He could not imagine a day without hearing the soft, sultry sound of her voice, of smelling roses and finding himself completely distracted by her scent, by the gentle sway of her hips, the soft brush of her hair against his skin. Her smiles alone were worth a king's ransom. He would send her into a world where a hundred men would be eager to snatch up what he had tossed away so carelessly. They would not care if she ever smiled. Aye, he knew what would become of her. But what would become of him?””

Elizabeth Elliott

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Lady's Guide to Celestial Navigation by Elizabeth Elliott, 2015

He is torn between desire and duty, fearing loss of both love and self.

In simple terms: Love and duty clash, causing inner turmoil.

Key Takeaway

Balance personal longing with responsibility.

Themes

love duty conflict identity attachment

Mood

romantic tragic contemplative

Type

emotional philosophical

When to use this quote

  • marriage counseling
  • career decisions
  • personal growth
  • artistic creation

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology relationships

Questions to Reflect On

  • What would you sacrifice for love?
  • How do you reconcile personal desire with obligations?
A Different Perspective

Assumes love can be quantified like a ransom.

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