Love built on beauty, soon as beauty, dies.
John DonneRead
But he who loveliness within Hath found, all outward loathes, For he who color loves, and skin, Loves but their oldest clothes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True beauty is found within a person, not in their outward appearance.
In this quote, John Donne emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over external appearances. He asserts that those who only appreciate physical qualities are merely attracted to temporary and superficial traits, while the person who recognizes and values the loveliness within transcends these fleeting attractions and finds deeper, more meaningful connections.
Themes
BeautyInner BeautySuperficialLoveAppearance
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about relationships at a seminar.
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
Similar quotes
The ones that love us never really leave us.
J. K. RowlingRead
The knowledge that she would never be loved in return acted upon her ideas as a tide acts upon cliffs.
Thornton WilderRead
I mind how once we lay such a transparent summer morning, How you settled your head athwart my hips and gently turn'd over upon me, And parted the shirt from my bosom-bone, and plunged your tongue to my bare-stript heart, And reach'd till you felt my beard, and reach'd till you held my feet.
Walt WhitmanRead
Faith makes all things possible... love makes all things easy.
Dwight L. MoodyRead
For years your name never passed my lips, while my soul drank in, with a delirious thirst, all that was uttered in my presence respecting you.
Edgar Allan PoeRead
Down on the lake rosy reflections of celestial vapor appeared, and I said, "God, I love you" and looked to the sky and really meant it. "I have fallen in love with you, God. Take care of us all, one way or the other." To the children and the innocent it's all the same.
Jack KerouacRead