Desire Quote by William Ernest Henley
“Love, which is lust, is the Lamp in the Tomb. Love, which is lust, is the Call from the Gloom. Love, which is lust, is the Main of Desire. Love, which is lust, is the Centric Fire. So man and woman will keep their trust, Till the very Springs of the Sea run dust. Yea, each with the other will lose and win, Till the very Sides of the Grave fall in. For the strife of Love's the abysmal strife, And the word of Love is the Word of Life. And they that go with the Word unsaid, Though they seem of the living, are damned and dead.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Love and Lust” (published 1900 in Poetry Magazine)
Love is portrayed as both desire and spiritual illumination, yet also as a source of conflict and existential risk, suggesting its dual nature as life‑giving and destructive.
In simple terms: Love is both a bright guide and a dangerous fire.
Key Takeaway
Balance passion with awareness.
Themes
love
desire
spirituality
conflict
mortality
Mood
passionate
intense
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- creative writing
- spiritual practice
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
dualism
existentialism
romanticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you let love guide you or consume you?
- How can you honor love without losing yourself?
A Different Perspective
Love’s intensity can lead to obsession and loss of self if unchecked.
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