Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
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.
Interpretation
The quote expresses deep admiration and emotional vulnerability inspired by another person's laughter.
In this quote, Catullus portrays the profound impact that a beloved has on him, highlighting how their laughter captivates him and simultaneously makes him feel emotionally torn. He admires the person sitting beside him, suggesting that their presence brings him both joy and a sense of being undone, illustrating the complexities of love where beauty and pain often coexist.
In practice
This quote can be shared at a wedding to illustrate the beauty of love.
Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then a thousand more.
It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem
Brother, hello and good-bye. Frater, ave atque vale
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
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.
There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.
Strength enough to build a home, Time enough to hold a child, Love enough to break a heart
I have now understood that though it seems to men that they live by care for themselves, in truth it is love alone by which they live. He who has love, is in God, and God is in him, for God is love.
For though we stubbornly cling, believing in our moment of hunger that there is no other possibility of love, we only have to let go of what we want so badly and our life will unfold. For love is everywhere.
Love was meant to be also a sign, a symbol, a messenger, a telltale of the Divine. Love is a messenger from God saying that every human affection and every ecstasy of love are sparks from the great flame of love that is God.
Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. Cooking at home shows such affection. In a bad economy, it's more important to make yourself feel good.
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