---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Love like a shadow flies when substance…"
description: "\"Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.\" — William Shakespeare"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/william-shakespeare-4_flying_love-like-a-shadow-flies-when-substance_2485147.jpg"
---

#  Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues…

![“Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/william-shakespeare-4_flying_love-like-a-shadow-flies-when-substance_2485147.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/william-shakespeare-4_flying_love-like-a-shadow-flies-when-substance_2485147.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/william-shakespeare-4_flying_love-like-a-shadow-flies-when-substance_2485147.jpg)

> “Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues.”

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He poetically describes love as elusive, chasing and being chased like shadows.

**In simple terms:** Love is fleeting and hard to grasp.

Key Takeaway

Embrace love’s mystery.

Themes

love elusiveness paradox

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- relationships
- artistic creation
- self‑reflection

Key Concepts

Romanticism metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you pursue love without losing yourself?
- What does “substance love” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

The metaphor may obscure practical advice on love.

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[Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind/)

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