Love built on beauty, soon as beauty, dies.
John DonneRead
Twice or thrice had I loved thee before I knew thy face or name, so in a voice, so in a shapeless flame, angels affect us oft, and worshiped be.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a deep, almost preordained love that transcends physical recognition.
In this quote from John Donne, the speaker conveys the idea that love can exist beyond physical appearances and names, suggesting a profound connection that predates earthly identification. It reflects the notion that love can be instilled in the soul through spiritual or emotional recognition, hinting at the transformative and ethereal qualities of true affection.
Themes
LovePreordainedConnectionSpiritualEmotional
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech, one might quote this to highlight the transcendent nature of love.
More from John Donne
All quotes βReason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right, By these we reach divinity
John DonneRead
All occasions invite His mercies, and all times are His seasons.
John DonneRead
If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned; alas; why should I be?
John DonneRead
Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
John DonneRead
I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield it self upon honest and lawfull terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.
John DonneRead
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