Time Quote by Herve Le Tellier
““But, you see, what I like about you is not that you feel foreign. And I don't think you ever did feel entirely foreign. But I like the fact that something about you still resists, refuses to become familiar, remains invincibly foreign. And it means that when I'm with you, I'm always rubbing up against a foreign element, something mysterious, irreducible, ever present, and full of happiness…It makes the way you walk and some of the things you do feel foreign to me for a moment. Your voice, on the end of the phone, from time to time: foreign. Your perfume, its vetiver fragrance, your own delicate smell: both foreign. Your subtly sinuous thought processes are so foreign to my own meanderings, and yet clearer and sharper. Of course you are not a foreigner, but how I value this foreignness in you. Perhaps keeping that foreign element is the secret.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Anomaly, 2020
He values the persistent sense of otherness in a loved one, seeing it as a source of mystery, joy, and deeper connection.
In simple terms: He appreciates a partner’s enduring uniqueness.
Key Takeaway
Cherish the unfamiliar qualities that keep relationships fresh.
Themes
love
identity
otherness
intimacy
Mood
reflective
romantic
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- long‑term partnership
- cultural differences
- personal discovery
- embracing uniqueness
Key Concepts
foreignness
mystery
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “foreignness” add to intimacy?
- How can we honor differences without alienation?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on foreignness may create distance if not balanced with acceptance.
