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Divorce Quote by Nicole Krauss

“He went on for some time while I sat listening in silence because I knew he was right, and like two people who have loved each other however imperfectly, who have tried to make a life together, however imperfectly, who have lived side by side and watched the wrinkles slowly form at the corner of…” quote by Nicole Krauss
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““He went on for some time while I sat listening in silence because I knew he was right, and like two people who have loved each other however imperfectly, who have tried to make a life together, however imperfectly, who have lived side by side and watched the wrinkles slowly form at the corner of the other's eyes, and watched a little drop of gray, as if poured from a jug, drop into the other's skin and spread itself evenly, listening to the other's coughs and sneezes and little collected mumblings, like two people who'd had one idea together and slowly allowed that idea to be replaced with two separate, less hopeful, less ambitious ideas, we spoke deep into the night, and the next day, and the next night. For forty days and forty nights, I want to say, but the fact of the matter is it only took three. One of us had loved the other more perfectly, had watched the other more closely, and one of us listened and the other hadn't, and one of us held on to the ambition of the one idea far longer than was reasonable, whereas the other, passing a garbage can one night, had casually thrown it away.””

Nicole Krauss

About This Quote

Source Novel: The History of Love, Nicole Krauss, 2005

A relationship erodes as partners grow apart, each clinging to different visions of love and ambition, leading to inevitable separation.

In simple terms: Love fades when partners diverge in goals and attention.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when love becomes unequal and address it early.

Themes

love relationships miscommunication growth loss

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

narrative emotional

When to use this quote

  • marriage counseling
  • friendship endings
  • career partnerships
  • family dynamics

Key Concepts

attachment theory personal ambition communication breakdown

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance personal ambition with mutual support?
  • When did you first notice the shift in your relationship?
A Different Perspective

One partner's perfection can blind them to the other's needs, causing imbalance.

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