Carmilla Quote by Sheridan Le Fanu
““She used to place her pretty arms about my neck, draw me to her, and laying her cheek to mine, murmur with her lips near my ear, “Dearest, your little heart is wounded; think me not cruel because I obey the irresistible law of my strength and weakness; if your dear heart is wounded, my wild heart bleeds with yours. In the rapture of my enormous humiliation I live in your warm life, and you shall die—die, sweetly die—into mine. I cannot help it; as I draw near to you, you, in your turn, will draw near to others, and learn the rapture of that cruelty, which yet is love; so, for a while, seek to know no more of me and mine, but trust me with all your loving spirit.” And when she had spoken such a rhapsody, she would press me more closely in her trembling embrace, and her lips in soft kisses gently glow upon my cheek. ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unspecified work by Sheridan Le Fanu, 19th century
A lover expresses intense, intertwined pain and devotion, suggesting love is both cruelty and salvation, binding hearts in mutual suffering
In simple terms: Love can be painful and healing together
Key Takeaway
Embrace love’s paradoxes but guard your heart
Themes
love
pain
devotion
interdependence
sacrifice
Mood
intense
melancholic
passionate
Type
poetic
romantic
When to use this quote
- intimate relationships
- conflict resolution
- emotional support
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
romanticism
psychology
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance love’s giving and taking?
- When does devotion become harmful?
A Different Perspective
Love’s intensity may lead to codependency or loss of self
