Love Quote by John Banville
““This love, this mortal love, is of their own making," Hermes muses, "the thing we did not intend, foresee or sanction. How then should it not fascinate us? . . . It is as if a fractious child had been handed a few timber shavings and a bucket of mud to keep him quiet only for him promptly to erect a cathedral. . . . Within the precincts of this consecrated house they afford each other sanctuary, excuse each other their failings, their sweats and smells, their lies and subterfuges, above all their ineradicable self-obsession. This is what baffles us, how they wriggled out of our grasp and somehow became free to forgive each other for all that they are not.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Sea” by John Banville, 2005
Describes love as a chaotic, self‑created force that both binds and frees, highlighting its unpredictable, almost child‑like nature.
In simple terms: Love is a messy, self‑made force that both traps and liberates.
Key Takeaway
Accept love’s contradictions and its power to transform.
Themes
love
human nature
paradox
freedom
creation
self‑obsession
Mood
poignant
introspective
complex
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- personal reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
literary metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does love’s chaos shape personal growth?
- Can love be both imprisoning and liberating?
A Different Perspective
The poetic style may obscure practical insights for readers.
