Love Quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
““Singular as it may appear, the sufferer had now contracted a sort of affection for his tormentor, mingled, however, with the intensest loathing and horror. Nor were such discordant emotions incompatible. Each, on the contrary, imparted strength and poignancy to its opposite. Horrible love—horrible antipathy—embracing one another in his bosom, and both concentrating themselves upon a being that had crept into his vitals or been engendered there, and which was nourished with his food, and lived upon his life, and was as intimate with him as his own heart, and yet was the foulest of all created things!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1850
A character feels both love and hatred toward his tormentor, each emotion intensifying the other, creating a complex, painful bond.
In simple terms: Love and hate can coexist, making each feeling stronger.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how mixed emotions can fuel inner strength.
Themes
conflict
emotion
psychology
duality
Mood
anguished
intense
reflective
Type
literary
psychological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal betrayal
- intimate relationships
- inner turmoil
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
ambivalence
pain
attachment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do opposing feelings shape your decisions?
- Can you harness this tension productively?
A Different Perspective
Such intense duality may impair rational judgment and lead to self‑destruction.
