"Pity the selfishness of lovers: it is brief, a forlorn hope; it is impossible"
- Elizabeth Bowen
About this Quote
This quote by Elizabeth Bowen speaks to the fleeting nature of selfishness in love. It recommends that selfishness is a momentary feeling, a "pitiable hope" that is ultimately difficult to sustain. It suggests that love is a generous act, which any effort to make it selfish will ultimately fail. This quote speaks with the idea that love is a two-way street, and that it needs both parties to be willing to give and take in order to make it work. It likewise suggests that selfishness is a harmful force in relationships, which it can cause the breakdown of a relationship if it is not attended to. Eventually, this quote serves as a pointer that love is a powerful feeling, which it ought to be treated with regard and care.
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