--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For, just as in the beginning it is…" description: "\"For, just as in the beginning it is formed by desire, so afterwards love is kept in existence only by painful anxiety.\" — Marcel Proust" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/marcel-proust-114_anxiety_for-just-as-in-the-beginning-it-is-forme_2220782.jpg" --- # For, just as in the beginning it is formed by desire, so… ![“For, just as in the beginning it is formed by desire, so afterwards love is kept in existence only by painful anxiety.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/marcel-proust-114_anxiety_for-just-as-in-the-beginning-it-is-forme_2220782.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/marcel-proust-114_anxiety_for-just-as-in-the-beginning-it-is-forme_2220782.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/marcel-proust-114_anxiety_for-just-as-in-the-beginning-it-is-forme_2220782.jpg) > “For, just as in the beginning it is formed by desire, so afterwards love is kept in existence only by painful anxiety.” [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire initiates love, but love endures only through ongoing, painful anxiety. **In simple terms:** Love starts with desire, survives through anxiety. Key Takeaway Accept that love requires continual emotional work. Themes love desire anxiety relationships Mood reflective melancholy Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - romantic relationships - long‑term partnerships - personal growth - emotional resilience Key Concepts existentialism psychology human condition Questions to Reflect On - How does anxiety shape your experience of love? - Can love exist without anxiety? A Different Perspective Anxiety can become overwhelming, potentially harming well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-love/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Existence Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-painful-3604083/) [Formed Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formed-desire-3723789/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-is/) [Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful/) [Painful Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful-anxiety-4955883/) ## Related quotes > [Do you think love just goes away? 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