-But rational thoughts lead only to rational thoughts, whereas irrational thoughts lead to new experiences.
And at the place where time stands still, one sees lovers kissing in the shadows of buildings, in a frozen embrace that will never let go. The loved one will never take his arms from where they are now, will never give back the bracelet of memories, will never journey afar from his lover, will never place himself in danger of self-sacrifice, will never fail to show his love, will never become jealous, will never fall in love with someone else, will never lose the passion of this instant of time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote captures the timeless essence of love, portraying a moment of pure affection that transcends time and jealousy.
This quote by Alan Lightman illustrates a moment where time is suspended and love is portrayed in its most ideal form. It emphasizes the depth and permanence of true love, where emotions are so strong that they create a 'frozen embrace' that protects against the fears of jealousy and betrayal. The imagery of lovers in shadows suggests a secret world of intimacy, highlighting a desire for eternal connection and the preservation of cherished memories. Lightman suggests that real love is unwavering and filled with devotion, devoid of the complications that often plague relationships.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared at weddings to symbolize eternal love.
More from Alan Lightman
All quotes →In this world, there are two times. There is mechanical time and there is body time. The first is as rigid and metallic as a massive pendulum of iron that swings back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The second squirms and wriggles like a bluefish in a bay. The first is unyielding, predetermined. The second makes up its mind as it goes along.
In a world without future, each moment is the end of the world.
Who would fare better in this world of fitful time? Those who have seen the future and live only one life? Or those who have not seen the future and wait to live life? Or those who deny the future and live two lives?
The tragedy of this world is that everyone is alone. For a life in the past cannot be shared with the present.
Events, once happened, lose reality, alter with a glance, a storm, a night. In time, the past never happened. But who could know? Who could know that the past is not as solid as this instant.
Similar quotes
If one day you have to choose between the world and love, remember this: If you choose the world you’ll be left without love, but if you choose love, with it you will conquer the world
Joy is love exalted; peace is love in response; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in tough situations; and temperance is love in training.
The greatest feminists have also been the greatest lovers. I'm thinking not only of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley, but of Anais Nin, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and of course Sappho. You cannot divide creative juices from human juices. And as long as juicy women are equated with bad women, we will err on the side of being bad.
He was a boy, just a boy, when I was a very young girl. When I was sixteen, I made the discovery - love. All at once and much, much too completely. It was like you suddenly turned a blinding on something that had always been half in shadow, that's how it struck the world for me. But I was unlucky. Deluded.
I love myself, therefore, I behave in a loving way to all people for I know that that which I give out returns to me multiplied.
Snape was looking as though the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would be force-fed poison.