When it aims to express a love of the world it refuses to conceal the many reasons why the world is hard to love, though we must love it because we have no other, and to fail to love it is not to exist at all.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the necessity of loving the world despite its challenges, as love is essential for existence.
Mark Van Doren's quote highlights the complexity of love, particularly towards the world. It acknowledges that while there are numerous reasons to find the world difficult to love, it is imperative to cultivate that love as it is fundamental to our existence. In essence, the refusal to love the world equates to a denial of life itself, suggesting that love is a vital force that connects us to our reality.
In practice
In a speech about environmentalism, to inspire a perspective shift towards loving our planet despite its flaws.
It’s a curious thing. I suppose most people think of artists as impatient but I don’t know of any first-rate artist who hasn’t manifested in his career an appalling patience, a willingness to wait and to do his best now in the expectation that next year he will do better.
Any piece of knowledge I acquire today has a value at this moment exactly proportional to my skill to deal with it. Tomorrow, when I know more, I recall that piece of knowledge and use it better.
The eyes those silent tongues of love.
What is a loving heart? A loving heart is sensitive to the whole of life, to all persons; a loving heart doesn't harden itself to any persons or things.
Beautiful as seemed mama's face, it became more lovely when she smiled and seemed to enliven everything about her.
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
Young poets bewail the passing of love; old poets, the passing of time. There is surprisingly little difference.
There is no greater power in heaven or on earth than pure, unconditional love.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.