Driven Quote by John Barth
““Love it is that drives and sustains us!' I translate: we don't know what drives and sustains us, only that we are most miserably driven and, imperfectly, sustained. Love is how we call our ignorance of what whips us.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The End of the Road by John Barth, 1970
Love is a label for our unknown motivations and sustenance, acknowledging our ignorance.
In simple terms: Love names what we don’t understand about what drives us.
Accept love as a placeholder for mystery.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- creative writing
- self‑reflection
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you beyond love?
- Can love be a distraction from true purpose?
Love may mask deeper issues needing exploration.