Anguish Quote by Marcel Proust
“At that time, he was satisfying a sensual curiosity by experiencing the pleasures of people who live for love. He had believed he could stop there, that he would not be obliged to learn their sorrows; how small a thing her charm was for him now compared with the astounding terror that extended out from it like a murky halo, the immense anguish of not knowing at every moment what she had been doing, of not possessing her everywhere and always!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 3, 1919
Obsessive desire for a lover leads to anxiety, as the unknown aspects of her life become a source of terror.
In simple terms: Love can become a painful obsession.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage obsessive thoughts.
Themes
love
obsession
anxiety
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- artistic inspiration
- personal introspection
- mental health
Key Concepts
attachment theory
existential dread
Questions to Reflect On
- What boundaries protect love from becoming obsession?
- How does uncertainty fuel emotional distress?
A Different Perspective
Obsession can impair judgment and cause suffering.
![“He knew she was there by the joy and terror that took possession of his heart [...] Everything was lit up by her. She was the smile that brightened everything around.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb8/leo-tolstoy-55_heart_he-knew-she-was-there-by-the-joy-and-ter_1463363.jpg)
![“For her [Françoise], wealth was like a necessary condition without which virtue would lack both merit and charm. She made so little distinction between the two that she came to see their qualities as interchangeable, expecting material comfort from virtue and moral edification from wealth.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/marcel-proust-114_character_for-her-fran-oise-wealth-was-like-a-nece_2687.jpg)
