Admire Quote by James Joyce
“You ask me why I don’t love you, but surely you must believe I am very fond of you and if to desire to possess a person wholly, to admire and honour that person deeply, and to seek to secure that person’s happiness in every way is to “love” then perhaps my affection for you is a kind of love. I will tell you this that your soul seems to me to be the most beautiful and simple soul in the world and it may be because I am so conscious of this when I look at you that my love or affection for you loses much of its violence.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916
The speaker questions the nature of love, suggesting affection without possessiveness is a gentler form of love.
In simple terms: Love can be gentle and non‑possessive.
Key Takeaway
Embrace love that respects freedom.
Themes
love
affection
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- relationships
- personal growth
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
non‑possessive love
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate love with ownership?
- How can love be expressed without domination?
A Different Perspective
Love can be confused with control or obsession.
