First sight Quote by Stendhal
“To be loved at first sight, a man should have at the same time something to respect and something to pity in his face.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Le Rouge et le Noir, 1830
Attraction requires both admiration and compassion; a balance of respect and pity.
In simple terms: Love needs respect and pity.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced admiration.
Themes
love
first impressions
humanity
Mood
romantic
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- dating
- friendship building
- character analysis
Key Concepts
psychology of attraction
empathy in relationships
Questions to Reflect On
- What qualities do you respect in others?
- Can pity coexist with admiration?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on pity may undermine genuine respect.
![“p.61 He [Roark] was usually disliked, from the first sight of his face, anywhere he went. His face was closed like the door of a safety vault; things locked in safety vaults are valuable; men did not care to feel that. He was a cold, disquieting presence in the room; his presence had a strange…” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/576/ayn-rand-59_care_p-61-he-roark-was-usually-disliked-from_38338.jpg)
