"Oh, if I had been loved at the age of seventeen, what an idiot I would be today. Happiness is like smallpox: if you catch it too soon, it can completely ruin your constitution"
- Gustave Flaubert
About this Quote
In this quote, the speaker reflects on the concept that being enjoyed at a young age can have negative consequences. They suggest that if they had actually experienced love at the age of seventeen, they would have become foolish and ignorant in their present state. The contrast to smallpox implies that love, like the illness, can be detrimental if contracted too early. It can interrupt one's development and advancement, leading to a weakened state. This quote highlights the significance of timing and maturity in experiencing love and suggests that hurrying into it can have lasting impacts. It also speaks with the concept that love should be approached with caution and thoughtfulness.
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