Best friend Quote by Elizabeth McCracken
“I had never wanted to be one of those girls in love with boys who would not have me. Unrequited love - plain desperate aboveboard boy-chasing - turned you into a salesperson, and what you were selling was something he didn't want, couldn't use, would never miss. Unrequited love was deciding to be useless, and I could never abide uselessness. Neither could James. He understood. In such situations, you do one of two things - you either walk away and deny yourself, or you do sneaky things to get what you need. You attend weddings, you go for walks. You say, yes. Yes, you're my best friend, too.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Giant’s House by Elizabeth McCracken, 2011
Unrequited love forces a person into self‑deception, turning affection into a transactional mindset, and leading to either denial or manipulative behavior.
In simple terms: Unrequited love makes you feel useless and act selfishly.
Key Takeaway
Avoid letting unreciprocated feelings dictate actions.
Themes
love
self‑worth
manipulation
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- dating
- friendship dynamics
- personal growth
Key Concepts
self‑deception
emotional labor
Questions to Reflect On
- Can unreciprocated affection ever be healthy?
- What boundaries prevent manipulative coping?
A Different Perspective
Some argue unrequited love can inspire self‑improvement.
