Alienation Quote by Gustave Flaubert
““But vilifying those we love always alienates us from them to a certain extent. Idols should not be touched: the gilding comes off on the hands.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Sentimental Education, 1869
Idolizing loved ones creates distance; reverence can corrupt relationships.
In simple terms: Worshipping people can push them away.
Key Takeaway
Balance admiration with realistic expectations.
Themes
relationships
idolization
humanity
love
psychology
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
emotional
When to use this quote
- friendships
- family dynamics
- celebrity culture
- mentor‑mentee relationships
Key Concepts
objectification
emotional distance
idealization
Questions to Reflect On
- When does admiration become harmful?
- How can we maintain intimacy without idealizing?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex emotional bonds.
![“Anthropology has always struggled with an intense, fascinated repulsion towards its subject… [The anthropologist] submits himself to the exotic to confirm his own inner alienation as an urban intellectual.” quote by Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe1/susan-sontag-332_alienation_anthropology-has-always-struggled-with-a_15322.jpg)
