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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker warns someone to be cautious about falling in love with them.
In plain terms
Be careful if you decide to love me.
What can you take from it?
Loving me might be unwise or painful.

Where it applies

  • new relationships
  • unrequited feelings
  • self-protection

Putting it to work

  • warning potential partners
  • expressing insecurity

Questions to consider

  • Why might loving someone be dangerous?
  • When is caution in love appropriate?

Another view

It assumes the speaker is inherently harmful to love.

More from John Donne

  1. A bracelet of bright hair about the bone.

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. So, so, break off this last lamenting kiss, Which sucks two souls, and vapors both away.

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. Ah cannot we As well as cocks and lions jocund be, After such pleasures?

    Permalink to quote #42

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