Love does not cause suffering: what causes it is the sense of ownership, which is love's opposite.
Interpretation
Love itself is not the source of pain; rather, it's the possessive nature that leads to suffering.
In this quote, Antoine De Saint-Exupery highlights the idea that true love is not associated with suffering. Instead, it is the desire to possess or control someone that causes emotional pain. Love should be free and selfless, whereas feelings of ownership can lead to conflict and hurt in relationships. This perspective encourages a healthier understanding of love, where mutual trust and respect are prioritized over possessiveness.
In practice
In a heartwarming wedding speech, one might reflect on how true love is about freedom, as illustrated by this quote.
Grown-ups love figures... When you tell them you've made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? " Instead they demand "How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? " Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.
Attitude is a paintbrush. It colors everything!
Water, thou hast no taste, no color, no odor; canst not be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself, thou fillest us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.
In those days, I didn't understand anything. I should have judged her according to her actions, not her words. She perfumed my planet and lit up my life. I should never have run away! I ought to have realized the tenderness underlying her silly pretensions. Flowers are so contadictory! But I was too young to know how to love her.
When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.
When the body sinks into death, the essence of man is revealed. Man is a knot, a web, a mesh into which relationships are tied. Only those relationships matter. The body is an old crock that nobody will miss. I have never known a man to think of himself when dying. Never.
If you are ever in doubt as to whether to kiss a pretty girl, always give her the benefit of the doubt.
-Before leaving my room i turn, and (stooping through the morning) kiss this pillow, dear where our heads lived and were.
Her vivid smile was like a light held up to dazzle me.
He knew that hair couldn't feel; he kissed her hair.
No mistake about it. Ice is cold; roses are red; I'm in love. And this love is about to carry me off somewhere. The current's too overpowering; I don't have any choice. It may very well be a special place, some place I've never seen before. Danger may be lurking there, something that may end up wounding me deeply, fatally. I might end up losing everything. But there's no turning back. I can only go with the flow. Even if it means I'll be burned up, gone forever.
Every night I cut out my heart. But in the morning it was full again
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