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About this quote

What does it mean?
In first love, women love the man; later, they love the idea of love.
In plain terms
First loves focus on the person; later ones on the feeling.
What can you take from it?
Romantic priorities shift from person to concept over time.

Where it applies

  • dating
  • breakups
  • second chances

Putting it to work

  • recognizing projections
  • valuing genuine connection

Questions to consider

  • Have you loved the idea not the person?
  • Is this shift inevitable?

Another view

This generalizes gender and ignores individual variation.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. De toutes les passions violentes, celle qui sied le moins mal aux femmes, c'est l'amour.

    Permalink to quote #99
  2. Il y a peu de femmes dont le merite dure plus que la beaute.

    Permalink to quote #101
  3. Dans l'amitie comme dans l'amour on est souvent plus heureux par les choses qu'on ignore que par celles que l'on sait.

    Permalink to quote #98

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