Courage Quote by Philip Larkin
““How hard it is, to be forced to the conclusion that people should be, nine tenths of the time, left alone! - When there is that in me that longs for absolute commitment. One of the poem-ideas I had was that one could respect only the people who knew that cups had to be washed up and put away after drinking, and knew that a Monday of work follows a Sunday in the water meadows, and that old age with its distorting-mirror memories follows youth and its raw pleasures, but that it's quite impossible to love such people, for what we want in love is release from our beliefs, not confirmation in them. That is where the 'courage of love' comes in - to have the courage to commit yourself to something you don't believe, because it is what - for the moment, anyway - thrills your by its audacity. (Some of the phrasing of this is odd, but it would make a good poem if it had any words...)””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unpublished reflections, 1970s
The quote explores the tension between desire for independence and the need for commitment, suggesting love requires daring to embrace the unknown.
In simple terms: Love demands daring commitment beyond familiar beliefs.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty in love.
Themes
love
commitment
independence
courage
paradox
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- creative projects
- self‑reflection
- decision making
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
relationship dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs are you willing to set aside for love?
- How does independence shape your relationships?
A Different Perspective
It may romanticize sacrifice, overlooking practical limits.
