They are all alike you know. They hold their tongues for years and you think you're safe, but when the opportunity comes they remember everything.
Edith WhartonRead
She said she knew we were safe with you, and always would be, because once, when she asked you to, you'd given up the thing you most wanted." Archer received this strange communication in silence. His eyes remained unseeingly fixed on the thronged sunlit square below the window. At length he said in a low voice: "She never asked me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the deep trust and selflessness in a relationship, particularly in the context of sacrifice.
In this quote, Archer reflects on a moment that encapsulates the essence of love and sacrifice. It reveals how true affection often involves giving up one's deepest desires for the sake of another's comfort and security. The acknowledgment that someone felt safe due to this sacrifice highlights the profound impact of love that prioritizes the well-being of others over personal wants. Archer's contemplation of the memory suggests a lingering connection to unfulfilled expectations and the complexities of devotion.
Themes
TrustSacrificeLoveSelflessnessRelationship
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a wedding speech to highlight the sacrifices made in a loving relationship.
More from Edith Wharton
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There are two ways to spread happiness; either be the light who shines it or be the mirror who reflects it.
Edith WhartonRead
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