Cant Quote by Germaine Greer
“Love, love, love - all the wretched cant of it, masking egotism, lust, masochism, fantasy under a mythology of sentimental postures.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer, 1970
Love is portrayed as a construct that hides selfish motives and fantasies, turning genuine feeling into performance.
In simple terms: Love can mask selfish desires and fantasies.
Key Takeaway
Recognize authentic emotions beyond social masks.
Themes
love
power
identity
masochism
fantasy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- media analysis
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
social critique
gender dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societal expectations shape our experience of love?
- When does love become a performance?
A Different Perspective
Love's idealization can overlook genuine connection.
![“My dear friend, clear your mind of cant [excessive thought]. You may talk as other people do: you may say to a man, "Sir, I am your most humble servant." You are not his most humble servant. You may say, "These are bad times; it is a melancholy thing to be reserved to such times." You don't mind…” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/590/samuel-johnson-50_appropriateness_my-dear-friend-clear-your-mind-of-cant-e_74600.jpg)