“Love is the burning point of life, and since all life is sorrowful, so is love. The stronger the love, the more the pain. Love itself is pain, you might say -the pain of being truly alive. [...] But love bears all things. [...] Love itself is pain, you might say - the pain of being truly alive.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Joseph Campbell, he delves into the complex nature of love, describing it as the burning point of life. Campbell suggests that love is intertwined with sorrow, as the stronger the love, the more pain it brings. He emphasizes that love itself is a form of pain, but one that truly makes us feel alive. Campbell highlights the endurance of love, stating that it can bear all things despite the pain it brings. This quote explores the bittersweet and powerful essence of love in a thought-provoking manner.
Modern Relevance
In today's fast-paced world where people often seek instant gratification and superficial connections, the words of Joseph Campbell on love and pain hold more relevance than ever. Despite the challenges and sorrows that love may bring, the intensity of our love for others is a testament to our capacity for true connection and emotional depth. In a society that often values material success over genuine relationships, Campbell reminds us that love, with all its pain and challenges, is what truly makes us feel alive.
Love is the Burning Point of Life
This quote by Joseph Campbell explores the complex nature of love and its connection to the pain and joy of being alive. Love is portrayed as a powerful force that brings both joy and sorrow. The idea that love is intertwined with pain is a common theme in literature and philosophy.
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on Joseph Campbell's quote about love being the burning point of life and the pain that comes with it, consider the following questions:
- How do you personally experience the connection between love and pain in your own life?
- In what ways do you believe that love makes us feel truly alive, despite the pain it may bring?
- How can we navigate and accept the pain that comes with love, while still embracing the beauty and vitality it brings to our lives?
- Do you agree with Campbell that love bears all things? Why or why not?
- How can we find meaning and purpose in the pain that love brings, and use it to enrich our lives and deepen our connections with others?
Similar quotes
“The point of life isn't to avoid pain. The point of life is to be alive! To feel things. That means the good and the bad. There'll be pain. But also joy, and friendship and love. And it's worth it, believe me.”
“A mighty pain to love it is,And 't is a pain that pain to miss;But of all pains, the greatest painIt is to love, but love in vain.”
“Many waters cannot quench love: the anthem's setting remained in her ears, repeating itself; a tune so powerful that it might gird one against the disappointments of life, rather than make one aware that our attempts to subdue the pain of unrequited love - of impossible love, of love that we are best to put away and not to think about - tended not to work, and only made the wounds of love more painful.”
“That was what I wanted, but I don't need it to be gone. I can love you and I can love life and bear the pain all at the same time. I think the pain might even make the rest better, the way a good setting can make a diamond look better.”
“Sometimes being fooled by love is worth the price. At least you know you're alive and capable of feeling, even if all you end up with is chest pain.”