It is not true that drink changes a man's character. It may reveal it more clearly.
John OsborneRead
Heaven be thanked, we live in such an age when no man dies for love except upon the stage.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the idea that in the modern world, love does not lead to tragic endings like it does in theatrical plays.
John Osborne's quote suggests that the romantic tragedies commonly depicted in literature and theater—where love leads to death—are not reflective of contemporary reality. In today's society, love may still bring heartache and challenges, but it rarely culminates in the dramatic sacrifices seen in plays, indicating a shift in the way love and relationships are perceived.
Themes
LoveLifeTheaterTragedyModernity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about modern relationships to illustrate how far we have come in understanding love.
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We fall in love because we long to escape from ourselves with someone as beautiful, intelligent, and witty as we are ugly, stupid, and dull. But what if such a perfect being should one day turn around and decide they will love us back? We can only be somewhat shocked-how can they be as wonderful as we had hoped when they have the bad taste to approve of someone like us?
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In the dime stores and bus stations People talk of situations Read books, repeat quotations Draw conclusions on the wall Some speak of the future My love she speaks softly She knows there’s no success like failure And that failure’s no success at all -Bob Dylan, “Love Minus Zero / No Limit” (1965)
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How beautiful you are! You are more beautiful in anger than in repose. I don't ask you for your love; give me yourself and your hatred; give me yourself and that pretty rage; give me yourself and that enchanting scorn; it will be enough for me.
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Love thrives not in the heart that shadows dreadeth
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Let's contend no more, Love, Strive nor weep: All be as before Love, - Only sleep.
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How soon country people forget. When they fall in love with a city it is forever, and it is like forever. As though there never was a time when they didn't love it. The minute they arrive at the train station or get off the ferry and glimpse the wide streets and the wasteful lamps lighting them, they know they are born for it. There, in a city, they are not so much new as themselves: their stronger, riskier selves.
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