Desire Quote by Thomas Hardy
““As to our going on together as we were going, in a sort of friendly way, the people round us would have made it unable to continue. Their views of the relations of man and woman are limited, as is proved by their expelling me from the school. Their philosophy only recognizes relations based on animal desire. The wide field of strong attachment where desire plays, at least, only a secondary part, is ignored by them—the part of—who is it?—Venus Urania.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, 1891
He critiques society’s narrow, animalistic view of gender relations, longing for a higher, spiritual love beyond mere desire.
In simple terms: Society limits love to physical desire, ignoring deeper spiritual bonds.
Key Takeaway
Seek love that transcends physical desire.
Themes
gender
society
spirituality
love
philosophy
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- marriage
- friendship
- artistic collaboration
- social critique
Key Concepts
human nature
gender roles
spiritual love
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we nurture spiritual connections in a materialistic world?
- What limits do societal norms place on love?
A Different Perspective
Such ideal love may be unattainable within existing social structures.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
