Consider the nematode roundworm, the most abundant of all animals. Four out of five animals on Earth are nematode worms — if all solid materials except nematode worms were to be eliminated, you could still see the ghostly outline of most of it in nematode worms.
If insemination were the sole biological function of sex, it could be achieved far more economically in a few seconds of mounting and insertion. Indeed, the least social of mammals mate with scarcely more ceremony. The species that have evolved long-term bonds are also, by and large, the ones that rely on elaborate courtship rituals. . . . Love and sex do indeed go together.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that the complexities of love and courtship go beyond mere biological functions, emphasizing the significance of emotional bonding.
E. O. Wilson points out that while the primary biological purpose of sex is reproduction, the social behaviors surrounding mating, such as courtship rituals, highlight the deeper emotional connections that have evolved in certain species. This indicates that love and sexual relations are intricately linked, challenging the notion that physical interactions alone define mating; rather, affection and emotional bonds enrich the experience.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech to highlight the importance of emotional connections in marriage.
More from E. O. Wilson
All quotes →Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.
The worst thing that will probably happen-in fact is already well underway-is not energy depletion, economic collapse, conventional war, or the expansion of totalitarian governments. As terrible as these catastrophes would be for us, they can be repaired in a few generations. The one process now going on that will take millions of years to correct is loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.
Humanity today is like a waking dreamer, caught between the fantasies of sleep and the chaos of the real world. The mind seeks but cannot find the precise place and hour. We have created a Star Wars civilization, with Stone Age emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology. We thrash about. We are terribly confused by the mere fact of our existence, and a danger to ourselves and to the rest of life.
Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.
An Armageddon is approaching at the beginning of the third millennium. But it is not the cosmic war and fiery collapse of mankind foretold in sacred scripture. It is the wreckage of the planet by an exuberantly plentiful and ingenious humanity.
Similar quotes
I saw you dancing out the ocean_x000D_ _x000D_ Running fast along the sand_x000D_ _x000D_ A spirit born of earth and water_x000D_ _x000D_ Fire flying from your hands
Always it’s Spring)and everyone’s in love and flowers pick themselves.
For Chelsea, I would turn down every job in the world.
Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it; let's do it, let's fall in love.
The girl who I will marry will have a heart so wise that in the hollow of her eyes my heart will want to tarry. The girl who will be mine will have skin so soft and tender, and when it comes December, her skin will be my wine.
We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in full glow of love for others.