One can acquire everything in solitude except character.
StendhalRead
To be loved at first sight, a man should have at the same time something to respect and something to pity in his face.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True admiration stems from a blend of respect and empathy.
Stendhal suggests that genuine love at first sight arises not only from admiration but also from the complexity of human emotion, which entails recognizing both admirable qualities and vulnerabilities in a person's appearance. This duality creates a deeper connection that transcends mere physical attraction, inviting a unique form of affection based on respect and compassion.
Themes
LoveAdmirationEmpathyRespectVulnerability
In practice
Example use cases
In a romantic speech at a wedding, one might use this quote to express the beauty of complex emotions in relationships.
More from Stendhal
All quotes βTrue love makes the thought of death frequent, easy, without terrors; it merely becomes the standard of comparison, the price one would pay for many things.
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In love, unlike most other passions, the recollection of what you have had and lost is always better than what you can hope for in the future.
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A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love.
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If you don't love me, it does not matter, anyway I can love for both of us.
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Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.
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Similar quotes
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father refuse thy name, thou art thyself thou not a montegue, what is montegue? tis nor hand nor foot nor any other part belonging to a man What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, So Romeo would were he not Romeo called retain such dear perfection to which he owes without that title, Romeo, Doth thy name! And for that name which is no part of thee, take all thyself.
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It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
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Lover's words: βHow beautiful you are, now that you love me.β
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Wear perfume wherever you want to be kissed!
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Even now, when you get love, you see Radha. Become Radha and be saved. There is no other way, Christians do not understand Solomon's song. They call it prophecy symbolising Christ's love for the Church. They think it nonsense and father some story upon it.
Swami VivekanandaRead