--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When he was young, the lesson learned…" description: "\"“When he was young, the lesson learned from his mother, as much by cuffs as caresses, was that love is action--what you do, not what you feel--but perh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/772/john-banville-2532_divine-grace_when-he-was-young-the-lesson-learned-fro_2055120.jpg" --- # When he was young, the lesson learned from his mother, as… ![“When he was young, the lesson learned from his mother, as much by cuffs as caresses, was that love is action--what you do, not what you feel--but perhaps, he thinks now, it was a false lesson, and that love is something else altogether, something he knows nothing of. He sees it, this love…” quote by John Banville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/772/john-banville-2532_divine-grace_when-he-was-young-the-lesson-learned-fro_2055120.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/772/john-banville-2532_divine-grace_when-he-was-young-the-lesson-learned-fro_2055120.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/772/john-banville-2532_divine-grace_when-he-was-young-the-lesson-learned-fro_2055120.jpg) > ““When he was young, the lesson learned from his mother, as much by cuffs as caresses, was that love is action--what you do, not what you feel--but perhaps, he thinks now, it was a false lesson, and that love is something else altogether, something he knows nothing of. He sees it, this love, hovering like the Paraclete above the heads of a fig-leafed Cranach couple, streaming divine grace down upon them in burning rays. Where was his soul when this pentecostal fire was falling from the sky?”” [John Banville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-banville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Love is portrayed as both action and divine mystery, questioning whether learned lessons capture its true essence. **In simple terms:** Love is action and mystery. Key Takeaway Seek love through deeds, not just feelings. Themes love faith spirituality philosophy Mood contemplative poetic philosophical Type literary thematic When to use this quote - marriage counseling - spiritual retreats - artistic creation Key Concepts existentialism divine grace human experience Questions to Reflect On - What does love mean to you? - How does action express love? A Different Perspective Divine interpretations of love can be limiting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Divine grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-grace/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Lesson learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lesson-learned/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [“Would you not marry even for love?" "Love does not seem to bring anyone much happiness as far as I have observed. 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I find them more exciting than human behavior for the most part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-banville/i-like-ideas-i-find-them-more-exciting-than-human-behavior-for-the/) [John Banville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-banville/) [Explore all 158 John Banville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-banville/) ## More Divine grace quotes > [“Lord give us success today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/lord-give-us-success-today/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The essential mark of maturity in Christians—as in peach trees—is generativity. Mature faith bears fruit. 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