Love Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““I do not suppose she had ever really cared for her husband, and what I had taken for love was no more than the feminine response to caresses and comfort which in the minds of most women passes for it. It is a passive feeling capable of being roused for any object, as the vine can grow on any tree; and the wisdom of the world recognises its strength when it urges a girl to marry the man who wants her with the assurance that love will follow. It is an emotion made up of the satisfaction of security, pride of property, the pleasure of being desired, the gratification of a household, and it is only by an amiable vanity that women ascribe to it spiritual value. It is an emotion which is defenceless against passion.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham, 1915
Love is portrayed as a socially conditioned, passive comfort rather than deep passion, driven by security and status.
In simple terms: Love is seen as comfort and security, not true passion.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between security‑based affection and genuine passion.
Themes
relationships
gender roles
societal expectations
emotions
marriage
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- marriage decisions
- relationship counseling
- self‑reflection on affection
- cultural analysis of love
Key Concepts
passive affection
social conditioning
security
pride
desire
vanity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate security with love?
- How might genuine passion differ from comfort?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks love that arises from mutual growth and shared purpose beyond security.
