Inspirational Quote by Søren Kierkegaard
““It is comic that a mentally disordered man picks up any piece of granite and carries it around because he thinks it is money, and in the same way it is comic that Don Juan has 1,003 mistresses, for the number simply indicates that they have no value. Therefore, one should stay within one’s means in the use of the word "love".””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical essay: “Either/Or” (1843)
Comparing absurd actions—carrying a stone as money and Don Juan’s countless lovers—illustrates that excess in love devalues it; moderation preserves meaning.
In simple terms: Excess cheapens love; moderation keeps value
Key Takeaway
Keep love within realistic bounds
Themes
philosophy
ethics
love
moderation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- financial decisions
- creative projects
Key Concepts
value theory
existentialism
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define “within one’s means” for love?
- Can love ever be truly measured?
A Different Perspective
The joke may overlook genuine emotional complexity behind love’s intensity.
![“[A]nd you may know how little God thinks of money by observing on what bad and contemptible characters he often bestows it." [ Man and the Gospel (1865)]” quote by Thomas Guthrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/248/thomas-guthrie-20408_christianity_a-nd-you-may-know-how-little-god-thinks_1366438.jpg)
