"Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration"
- David Herbert Lawrence
About this Quote
David Herbert Lawrence's quote, "Love is the flower of life, and blossoms all of a sudden and without law, and must be plucked where it is discovered, and enjoyed for the short hour of its duration", is a poetic expedition of the nature of love, its short-term appeal, and its spontaneous emergence in the human experience.
To start with, Lawrence likens love to a "flower of life", recommending it is necessary, lively, and life-enhancing. Just as flowers bring charm and suggesting to the natural world, love instills life with richness and depth. It's the essence that includes color and texture to our existence, reminding us of the capacity for pleasure and connection intrinsic in human relationships.
The idea that love "blooms all of a sudden and without law" talks to its unforeseeable and uncontainable nature. Love can not be forced or set up; it occurs spontaneously, often when least anticipated. This unpredicted quality of love challenges the standard norms and social expectations that frequently attempt to regulate emotions and relationships. Lawrence recommends that love defies guidelines and classifications, existing beyond the structured frameworks people typically attempt to trouble it.
Moreover, Lawrence stresses the requirement to "pluck [love] where it is found, and enjoy it for the quick hour of its duration". Here, the act of plucking can be translated as taking opportunity, welcoming the love that comes one's method before it withers like a flower. This highlights the ephemeral nature of love and the importance of living in today moment. Love, in this sense, is short lived and need to be treasured and appreciated while it lasts.
The metaphor of the "short hour" underlines the transient appeal and temporal truth of love, urging us to value and savor it fully. The quote ultimately motivates readers to accept the spontaneity and flaw of love, enjoying its beauty and depth while accepting its impermanence.
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