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 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.*”
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.
Recognize love’s dual nature and cherish its intensity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Romantic relationships
- heartbreak
- creative inspiration
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance love’s joy and pain?
- When does love become destructive?
Love’s intensity can lead to irrational decisions and emotional volatility.