The reason 'closure' is a cliche is that it is used too often, too imprecisely, and doesn't in any case reflect reality. In reality, such closure in broken friendships and much else in life is rarely achieved; only death brings closure and then not always for those still living.
Interpretation
Closure in relationships is often oversimplified and rarely fully achieved.
In this quote, Joseph Epstein emphasizes the complexities of human relationships, particularly the idea of 'closure' after a friendship ends. He argues that the concept is clichéd and misused, as true closure is rarely attained, often being a vague notion that does not align with reality; only death may bring a sense of closure, and even then, it can leave unresolved feelings for those who remain.
In practice
In a speech about healing after a breakup, you might say, 'As Joseph Epstein points out, closure is often a misleading notion in relationships.'
The breakdown of the black community, in order to maintain slavery, began with the breakdown of the black family. Men and women were not legally allowed to get married because you couldn't have that kind of love. It might get in the way of the economics of slavery. Your children could be taken from you and literally sold down the river.
My goal is to speak the truth in love. There are a lot of people speaking the truth with no love, and there are a lot of people talking about love without much truth.
A spiritual partnership is between people who promise themselves to use all of their experiences to grow spiritually. They use their emotions to show them how to create constructive and healthy and joyful consequences instead of destructive and unhealthy and painful consequences.
Flesh and blood needs flesh and blood, and you're the one I need
The commitment had disappeared, and although he still watched the imagined glory of stealing, she could see now he was not believing. He was trying to believe it, and that’s never a good sign.
The power of affinity lies in its mystery: the way it stands outside everything logical; you step into a crowded room and see a stranger, and somehow you feel you know her better than you know the friends you came with.
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