Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
CatullusRead
It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
Interpretation
What this quote means
Ending a long-term love is a challenging and painful process.
Catullus expresses the complexity and emotional weight of relinquishing a deep and enduring love. The quote highlights that love, especially one that has lasted a significant time, is not easily abandoned, reflecting the struggles and attachments that come with such intense emotional bonds.
Themes
LoveLongingAttachmentPainHeartbreak
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the complexities of relationships, you might quote this to emphasize the difficulty of moving on after a meaningful connection.
More from Catullus
All quotes βGive me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more.
CatullusRead
Godlike the man who_x000D_ sits at her side, who_x000D_ watches and catches_x000D_ that laughter_x000D_ which (softly) tears me_x000D_ to tatters: nothing is left of me, each time_x000D_ I see her.
CatullusRead
Brother, hello and good-bye. Frater, ave atque vale
CatullusRead
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
CatullusRead
My mind's sunk so low, Claudia, because of you, wrecked itself on your account so bad already, that I couldn't like you if you were the best of women, -or stop loving you, no matter what you do.
CatullusRead
Similar quotes
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. Beatrice: A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. -Much Ado About Nothing
William ShakespeareRead
God dislikes evil, and no happiness can be built on hate. Love one another as brothers.
Josephine BakerRead
Somewhere the sense makes copper roses steel roses β The rose carried weight of love but love is at an end β of roses It is at the edge of the petal that love waits.
William Carlos WilliamsRead
Keep your heart open for as long as you can, as wide as you can, for others and especially for yourself.
Morrie SchwartzRead
JAQUES: Rosalind is your love's name? ORLANDO: Yes, just. JAQUES: I do not like her name. ORLANDO: There was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened.
William ShakespeareRead
When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know.
Lou GehrigRead