--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Making love with a woman and sleeping…" description: "\"Making love with a woman and sleeping with a woman are two separate passions, not merely different but opposite. Love does not make itself felt in the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/milan-kundera-120_desire_making-love-with-a-woman-and-sleeping-wi_32307.jpg" --- # Making love with a woman and sleeping with a woman are two… ![“Making love with a woman and sleeping with a woman are two separate passions, not merely different but opposite. Love does not make itself felt in the desire for copulation (a desire that extends to an infinite number of women) but in the desire for shared sleep (a desire limited to one woman).” quote by Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/milan-kundera-120_desire_making-love-with-a-woman-and-sleeping-wi_32307.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/milan-kundera-120_desire_making-love-with-a-woman-and-sleeping-wi_32307.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/milan-kundera-120_desire_making-love-with-a-woman-and-sleeping-wi_32307.jpg) > “Making love with a woman and sleeping with a woman are two separate passions, not merely different but opposite. Love does not make itself felt in the desire for copulation (a desire that extends to an infinite number of women) but in the desire for shared sleep (a desire limited to one woman).” [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguishes emotional intimacy (shared sleep) from sexual desire, asserting true love is exclusive and not driven by endless lust. **In simple terms:** Love = exclusive intimacy, not endless desire Key Takeaway Love is about shared presence, not sexual variety Themes intimacy exclusivity desire relationship dynamics philosophy of love Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - long-term partnership - marriage - cohabitation - emotional bonding - relationship counseling Key Concepts emotional connection sexual desire monogamy human need Practical Applications - relationship counseling - personal reflection Questions to Reflect On - What does shared sleep symbolize in a relationship? - How does the view of desire affect commitment? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Copulation Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copulation-desire-430471/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Copulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-copulation-430472/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-woman/) [Making love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-love/) [Monogamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monogamy/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Polygamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polygamy/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Women Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-desire-430470/) ## Related quotes > [“Tomas came to this conclusion: Making love with a woman and sleeping with a woman are two separate passions, not merely different but opposite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/tomas-came-to-this-conclusion-making-love-with-a-woman-and-sleeping/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Love does not make itself felt in the desire for copulation (a desire that extends to an infinite number of women) but in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-does-not-make-itself-felt-in-the-desire-for-copulation-a-desire/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Once, when he had just lulled her to sleep but she had gone no farther than dream's antechamber and was therefore still responsive to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/once-when-he-had-just-lulled-her-to-sleep-but-she-had-gone-no-farther/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Woman wants monogamy; Man delights in novelty. Love is woman's moon and sun; Man has other forms of fun. Woman lives but in her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/woman-wants-monogamy-man-delights-in-novelty-love-is-woman-s-moon-and/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [“Cheating in relationship is a sign of self-regulation failure. When it happens ones, it is a mistake. When it happens twice, it is unfortunate.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/cheating-in-relationship-is-a-sign-of-self-regulation-failure-when-it/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Polygamy is about sex, whereas monogamy is about love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/polygamy-is-about-sex-whereas-monogamy-is-about-love/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I don't think our system, where we have one romantic partner, where we get married and we're only supposed to have sex with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-don-t-think-our-system-where-we-have-one-romantic-partner-where-we/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [For example, most mammals are either monogamous or polygamous. But as every poet or divorce attorney will tell you, humans are confused - After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/for-example-most-mammals-are-either-monogamous-or-polygamous-but-as/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [The founders of that ancient empire were robbers and women stealers, and made laws favoring monogamy in consequence of the scarcity of women among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/the-founders-of-that-ancient-empire-were-robbers-and-women-stealers/) [Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/) > [“How a man treats his wife has to do with that individual man, whether in polygyny or monogamy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dixon/how-a-man-treats-his-wife-has-to-do-with-that-individual-man-whether/) [Patricia Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dixon/) > [“If love wasn't conditional, everybody would be in love with everybody.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/if-love-wasn-t-conditional-everybody-would-be-in-love-with-everybody/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Most women think cheating is 'disgusting' … until they fall for a man that likes them back; but isn’t willing to leave his lover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/most-women-think-cheating-is-disgusting-until-they-fall-for-a-man/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Why do we believe in and practice polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/why-do-we-believe-in-and-practice-polygamy-because-the-lord/) [Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/) > [“Either one is promiscuous or in a relationship - it cannot be both at the same time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/either-one-is-promiscuous-or-in-a-relationship-it-cannot-be-both-at/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I'm monogamous from time to time, but I prefer polygamy and polyandry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-bruni/i-m-monogamous-from-time-to-time-but-i-prefer-polygamy-and-polyandry/) [Carla Bruni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-bruni/) ## More by Milan Kundera > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“From that time on they both looked forward to sleeping together. 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That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/beauty-in-the-european-sense-has-always-had-a-premeditated-quality-to/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [The beauty of New York is unintentional; it arose independent of human design, like a stalagmite cavern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-beauty-of-new-york-is-unintentional-it-arose-independent-of-human/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Children, Never look Back!" and this meant that we must never allow the future to be weighed down by memory . for children have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/children-never-look-back-and-this-meant-that-we-must-never-allow-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Our lives may be separate, but they run in the same direction, like parallel lines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/our-lives-may-be-separate-but-they-run-in-the-same-direction-like/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Having a child is to show an absolute accord with mankind. If I have a child, it's as though I'm saying: I was born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/having-a-child-is-to-show-an-absolute-accord-with-mankind-if-i-have-a/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“He remained annoyed with himself until he realized that not knowing what he wanted was actually quite natural. We can never know what to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/he-remained-annoyed-with-himself-until-he-realized-that-not-knowing/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Whenever I think about ancient cultures nostalgia seizes me. Perhaps this is nothing but envy of the sweet slowness of the history of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/whenever-i-think-about-ancient-cultures-nostalgia-seizes-me-perhaps/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [When we ignore the body, we are more easily victimized by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/when-we-ignore-the-body-we-are-more-easily-victimized-by-it/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Do stories, apart from happening, being, have something to say? For all my skepticism, some trace of irrational superstition did survive in me, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/do-stories-apart-from-happening-being-have-something-to-say-for-all/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Os extremos delimitam a fronteira para além da qual a vida termina, e a paixão pelo extremismo, tanto em arte como em política, é…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/os-extremos-delimitam-a-fronteira-para-al-m-da-qual-a-vida-termina-e/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [The characters in my novels are my own unrealized possibilities. That is why I am equally fond of them all and equally horrified by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-characters-in-my-novels-are-my-own-unrealized-possibilities-that/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Anyone whose goal is 'something higher' must expect someday to suffer vertigo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/anyone-whose-goal-is-something-higher-must-expect-someday-to-suffer/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) [Explore all 952 Milan Kundera quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) ## More Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Making love with a woman and sleeping with a woman are two separate passions, not merely different but opposite. 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