Skip to content

Beautiful Quote by Gustave Flaubert

“Before her marriage she had thought that she had love within her grasp; but since the happiness which she had expected this love to bring her hadn’t come, she supposed she must have been mistaken. And Emma tried to imagine just what was meant, in life, by the words “bliss,” “passion,” and…” quote by Gustave Flaubert
Download Open image
“Before her marriage she had thought that she had love within her grasp; but since the happiness which she had expected this love to bring her hadn’t come, she supposed she must have been mistaken. And Emma tried to imagine just what was meant, in life, by the words “bliss,” “passion,” and “rapture” - words that had seemed so beautiful to her in books.”

Gustave Flaubert

About This Quote

Source Novel: Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert, 1856

Unrealistic expectations of love lead to disappointment and existential questioning.

In simple terms: Idealizing love causes pain.

Key Takeaway

Reevaluate romantic expectations.

Themes

disillusionment love expectations

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • marriage
  • personal growth
  • literary analysis
  • relationship counseling

Key Concepts

romantic idealism existential search self‑reflection

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “bliss” truly mean for you?
  • How can you balance idealism with reality?
A Different Perspective

Romantic fantasies may ignore practical realities.

2.7 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Gustave Flaubert

Explore all 526 Gustave Flaubert quotes

More Beautiful quotes

Browse all 17,978 Beautiful quotes