“I wanted to tell her that being loved is a talent too, that it takes as much guts and as much work as loving; that some people, for whatever reason, never learn the knack ”
In this quote by Tana French, the author explores the concept of being loved as a talent that requires courage and effort just like loving someone. By stating that some people never learn the knack of being loved, French highlights the reciprocal nature of love and the complexities involved in giving and receiving love. This quote may suggest that being open to receiving love, being vulnerable, and recognizing one's own self-worth are essential aspects of being able to experience love fully. French's perspective offers a deeper understanding of the dynamics of love and relationships.
In the age of social media and dating apps, the quote from Tana French holds a lot of modern relevance. People often focus so much on finding love and being loved that they forget that it also takes effort and courage to love someone else. In a society where instant gratification is valued, learning how to truly love and be loved can be a challenge for many.
This quote by Tana French highlights the importance of recognizing the effort and courage it takes to receive love. Here are some examples of how this quote can be used in conversation or writing:
In a relationship: When discussing the dynamics of a romantic relationship, one might say, "I always remind myself that being loved is a talent too, just like loving someone. It takes work and vulnerability on both sides."
In a counseling session: A therapist might use this quote to help a client understand the challenges of receiving love and express the importance of self-compassion in accepting love from others.
In a self-help book: An author focusing on building healthy relationships could include this quote to emphasize the mutual effort required for love to flourish and the personal growth involved in being open to receiving love.
It's easy to focus on the act of loving and forget that being loved is just as important and valuable. Reflect on the following questions to deepen your understanding of this quote:
Do you believe that being loved is a talent that some people possess naturally, or is it something that can be learned and developed over time?
How do you think the experience of being loved shapes a person's ability to love others in return?
Consider a time when you felt truly loved by someone. How did that experience impact your feelings about yourself and your relationships with others?
In your opinion, what qualities or attributes make someone particularly talented at being loved by others?
Have you ever struggled with feeling like you are unlovable or unworthy of love? How did you overcome those feelings, if at all?
“When you're too close to people, when you spend too much time with them and love them too dearly, sometimes you can't see them”
“I know what the right woman, at the right moment, can do to a man- not that Tessie seemed to have got away scot-free herself. Some people should never meet. The fallout spreads too wide and gets into the ground for much too long.”
“One of the reasons I love Murder is that victims are, as a general rule, dead... I don't make a habit of sharing this, in case people take me fore a sicko or- worse-a wimp, but give me a dead child, any day, over a child sobbing his heart out while you make him tell you what the bad man did next. Dead victims don't show up outside HQ to beg for answers, you never have to nudge them into reliving every hideous moment, and you never have to worry, and you never have to worry about what it'll do to their lives if you fuck up. They stay put in the morgue, light-years beyond anything I can do right or wrong, and leave me free to focus on the people who sent them there.”
“I didn't believe her, of course. The lie was transparent—it something that size, someone would have mentioned it during the door-to-door--and it went straight to my heart as no sonata ever could have; because I recognized it. That's my twin brother, his name's Peter, he's seven minutes older than me. . . . Children—it and Rosalind was little more—it don't tell pointless lies unless the reality is too much to bear.”
“Some people should never meet.”
“I had, of course, sworn never to let the place cross my mind again; but human beings can't help being curious, I suppose, as long as the knowledge doesn't come at too high a price.”