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About this quote

What does it mean?
People feel ashamed of past love once it ends.
In plain terms
You feel embarrassed about loving someone after you stop loving them.
What can you take from it?
Accept past attachments without shame; they were genuine at the time.

Where it applies

  • breakups
  • looking back
  • family discussions

Putting it to work

  • reframe past love as valid
  • practice self-compassion

Questions to consider

  • Why do you hide past relationships?
  • Is that love still real to you?

Another view

Shame can sometimes protect against repeating mistakes.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. Il est difficile de definir l'amour. Dans l'ame c'est une passion de regner, dans les esprits c'est une sympathie, et dans le corps ce n'est qu'une envie cache…

    Permalink to quote #23
  2. Si on juge de l'amour par la plupart de ses effets, il ressemble plus a la haine qu'a l'amitie.

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. La bonne grace est au corps ce que le bon sens est a l'esprit.

    Permalink to quote #22

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