History of love Quote by Nicole Krauss
““During the Age of Glass, everyone believed some part of him or her to be extremely fragile. For some it was a hand, for others a femur, yet others believed it was their noses that were made of glass. The Age of Glass followed the Stone Age as an evolutionary corrective, introducing into human relations a new sense of fragility that fostered compassion. This period lasted a relatively short time in the history of love-about a century-until a doctor named Ignacio da Silva hit on the treatment of inviting people to recline on a couch and giving them a bracing smack on the body part in question, proving to them the truth. The anatomical illusion that had seemed so real slowly disappeared and-like so much we no longer need but can't give up-became vestigial. But from time to time, for reasons that can't always be understood, it surfaces again, suggesting that the Age of Glass, like the Age of Silence, never entirely ended.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, 2005
Human fragility was once seen as literal glass, leading to compassion; later, the belief faded but resurfaces, showing lingering vulnerability.
In simple terms: People once thought we were fragile like glass, which made them kind; the idea faded but still appears.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and nurture hidden fragility.
Themes
compassion
vulnerability
history
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
emotional
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- intimate conversations
- creative writing
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
psychology
evolutionary sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- What “glass” fragilities do you notice today?
- How can we balance strength and sensitivity?
A Different Perspective
Modern rationalism may dismiss subtle emotional needs.
