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As Dostoevski said: 'Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.
Dorothy Day
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Love expressed through actions can be challenging and difficult, unlike the idealized notion of love in our dreams.

This quote highlights the contrast between the idealized notion of love, which often exists in our dreams or fantasies, and the reality of love as experienced through actions and commitments. Dorothy Day references Dostoevsky to emphasize that true love requires effort, sacrifice, and facing harsh realities, making it a more complex and sometimes daunting experience than simply dreaming of love.

Themes

LoveActionDreamsSacrificeReality

In practice

Example use cases

In a wedding speech, one could use this quote to illustrate the challenges of maintaining a loving relationship.

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Quote by Dorothy Day | QuoteProject