Behinds Quote by Graham Greene
“I could have waited years, now that I knew the end of the story. I was cold and wet and very happy. I could even look with charity towards the altar and the figure dangling there. She loves us both, I thought, but if there is to be a conflict between an image and a man, I know who will win. I could put my hand on her thigh or my mouth on her breast; he was imprisoned behind the altar and couldn't move to plead his cause.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, 1951
A narrator reflects on love, sacrifice, and the inevitable conflict between desire and moral duty, foreseeing a personal struggle.
In simple terms: Love clashes with duty and desire.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of choosing love over principle.
Themes
love
conflict
faith
desire
morality
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
novelistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- making a difficult moral choice
- confessing love
- confronting personal doubts
- balancing faith and passion
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
spiritual struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you sacrifice for love?
- How do you reconcile personal desire with moral obligations?
A Different Perspective
The narrator’s certainty may overlook the complexity of human relationships.
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