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Experience love Quote by M. Scott Peck

“Of all the misconceptions about love the most powerful and pervasive is the belief that "falling in love" is love or at least one of the manifestations of love. It is a potent misconception, because falling in love is subjectively experienced in a very powerful fashion as an experience of love…” quote by M. Scott Peck
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““Of all the misconceptions about love the most powerful and pervasive is the belief that "falling in love" is love or at least one of the manifestations of love. It is a potent misconception, because falling in love is subjectively experienced in a very powerful fashion as an experience of love. When a person falls in love what he or she certainly feels is "I love him" or "I love her." But two problems are immediately apparent. The first is that the experience of falling in love is specifically a sex-linked erotic experience. We do not fall in love with our children even though we may love them very deeply. We do not fall in love with our friends of the same sex-unless we are homosexually oriented-even though we may care for them greatly. We fall in love only when we are consciously or unconsciously sexually motivated. The second problem is that the experience of falling in love is invariably temporary. No matter whom we fall in love with, we sooner or later fall out of love if the relationship continues long enough. This is not to say that we invariably cease loving the person with whom we fell in love. But it is to say that the feeling of ecstatic lovingness that characterizes the experience of falling in love always passes. The honeymoon always ends. The bloom of romance always fades.””

M. Scott Peck

About This Quote

Source Book: People of the Heart by M. Scott Peck, 1978

Love is often confused with the intense, erotic, and temporary feeling of falling in love, which is driven by sexual attraction and fades over time, whereas deeper love endures beyond that initial passion.

In simple terms: Falling in love is a fleeting, sexual feeling, not lasting love.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and nurture lasting love beyond initial passion.

Themes

love relationships sexuality longevity

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • romantic relationships
  • marriage
  • friendships
  • family bonds

Key Concepts

eroticism attachment theory human motivation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you differentiate between fleeting desire and lasting commitment?
  • What practices sustain love after the honeymoon ends?
A Different Perspective

The initial passion may be intense but can blind us to deeper, lasting connections.

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