Alain de Botton, Essays in Love
Some quotes and excerpts from Essays in Love by Alain de Botton, a wonderful and engaging book that I would recommend for all those who wish to gain a more honest philosophical perspective on love. * Most people would throw away all their cynicism if they could. The majority just never get the chance. * Unrequited love may be painful, but it is safely painful, because it does not involve inflicting damage on anyone but oneself, a private pain that is as bitter-sweet as it is self-induced. But as soon as love is reciprocated, one must be prepared to give up the passivity of simply being hurt to take on the responsibility of perpetrating hurt oneself. * Perhaps the easiest people to fall in love with are those about whom we know nothing. * I did not love Chloe for her body, I loved her body for the promise of who she was. It was a most inspiring promise. * Lovers cannot remain philosophers for long, they should give way to the religious impulse