Arbitrary Quote by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
“True love should be, according to its origin, entirely arbitrary and entirely accidental at the same time; it should seem both necessary and free; in keeping with its nature, however, it should be both destiny and virtue and appear as a mystery and a miracle.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Athenaeum, 1800
Love is portrayed as a paradoxical force that is both random and fated, essential yet liberating, mysterious yet virtuous.
In simple terms: Love is both accidental and destined, essential and free.
Key Takeaway
Embrace love’s contradictions without trying to control them.
Themes
love
paradox
destiny
virtue
mystery
Mood
reflective
hopeful
complex
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- relationships
- creative collaboration
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Romanticism
dialectic
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile love’s randomness with your desire for security?
- Can love be both a miracle and a mundane experience?
A Different Perspective
Love’s ideal may be unattainable in everyday life, leading to disappointment.
