Desire Quote by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
““Haven't you realized that pleasure, which is indeed certainly the one and only reason for the two sexes to come together, is nevertheless not enough to establish a relationship between them? And that though this pleasure is preceded by desire which draws people together, it is however followed by aversion which pushes them apart? It's a law of nature which only love can change. Can we feel love whenever we want? Yet love is always needed, which would be a dreadfully tiresome thing if it hadn't fortunately been realized that it's enough for just one of the partners to feel it, thereby halving the problem, and without even incurring any great loss; in fact, one party is happy to love, the other to please, which is actually a bit less exciting but which can be combined with the pleasure of deceiving and that evens things out, so everyone's happy.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Liaisons dangereuses, 1782
Pleasure alone cannot sustain relationships; love, desire, and aversion interplay, requiring mutual love to balance.
In simple terms: Love balances desire and aversion.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate mutual love.
Themes
love
desire
pleasure
aversion
relationships
human nature
Mood
cynical
thoughtful
romantic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic partnerships
- friendships
- marriage counseling
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
emotional dynamics
psychology of intimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- Can love be cultivated deliberately?
- How do desire and aversion shape bonds?
A Different Perspective
Love may not be equally felt by both partners.
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