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Burning Quote by William Shakespeare

“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet. *Here’s what love is: a smoke made out of lovers' sighs. When the smoke…” quote by William Shakespeare
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“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet. *Here’s what love is: a smoke made out of lovers' sighs. When the smoke clears, love is a fire burning in your lover’s eyes. If you frustrate love, you get an ocean made out of lovers' tears. What else is love? It’s a wise form of madness. It’s a sweet lozenge that you choke on.*”

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 2, 1602

Love is portrayed as a paradoxical force that can be both intoxicating and painful, inspiring both joy and madness.

In simple terms: Love is a sweet, maddening fire that can bring tears.

Key Takeaway

Recognize love’s dual nature and cherish its intensity.

Themes

love paradox emotion madness joy

Mood

passionate reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Romantic relationships
  • heartbreak
  • creative inspiration
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

Romanticism dualism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance love’s joy and pain?
  • When does love become destructive?
A Different Perspective

Love’s intensity can lead to irrational decisions and emotional volatility.

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