Defenseless Quote by Sigmund Freud
“We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Interpretation of Dreams, 1900, null
Love makes us vulnerable, exposing us to deep emotional pain when suffering occurs.
In simple terms: Love increases vulnerability to suffering.
Key Takeaway
Guard emotional openness with self‑care.
Themes
love
vulnerability
ufferinguffering
psychology
emotion
Mood
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
psychological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- grief counseling
- personal growth
Key Concepts
attachment theory
emotional risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance love with emotional safety?
- What coping strategies help when love leads to suffering?
A Different Perspective
Love can also bring resilience, not just pain.
![“The commandment, 'Love thy neighbour as thyself', is the strongest defence against human aggressiveness and an excellent example of the unpsychological [expectations] of the cultural super-ego. The commandment is impossible to fulfil; such an enormous inflation of love can only lower its value…” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73b/sigmund-freud-360_character_the-commandment-love-thy-neighbour-as-th_232906.jpg)
