Heart Quote by Shirley Hazzard
““Sometimes, as now, her heart twisted and broke under his determination to wound her. At others, she was almost convinced that she felt nothing more for him, that he had overdrawn on her endurance: then she would stay silent for awhile, almost at peace, beyond his reach, not knowing whether she had been utterly vanquished or become completely invincible. However, it required merely some slight attention on his part to restore all her apprehensions - for these extremes of feeling only existed within the compass of her love." "In One's Own House ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: In One's Own House by Shirley Hazzard, 1972
The passage describes the volatile dynamics of love, where a partner's harshness can both wound and paradoxically strengthen the other's emotional resilience.
In simple terms: Love can be both painful and empowering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how actions affect emotional balance.
Themes
love
resilience
power dynamics
emotional vulnerability
Mood
reflective
melancholic
hopeful
Type
literary
psychological
emotional
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- personal growth
- conflict resolution
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
attachment theory
psychology of love
emotional endurance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond when love feels both hurtful and protective?
- What boundaries can protect emotional health?
A Different Perspective
Love's intensity may mask underlying insecurity.
![“But that's a way to go on loving--a place, or a person. To miss it. In fact, to go away, to put yourself in the state of missing, is sometimes the simplest way to preserve love. [p. 56]” quote by Shirley Hazzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c8/shirley-hazzard-9123_away_but-that-s-a-way-to-go-on-loving-a-place_217052.jpg)
![“I said, "Some people do know more than others. That contributes to the impression that someone, somewhere,knows the whole thing." [p. 38]” quote by Shirley Hazzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b33/shirley-hazzard-9123_people-know_i-said-some-people-do-know-more-than-oth_287729.jpg)
