Who ever loves, if he do not propose The right true end of love, he's one that goes To sea for nothing but to make him sick.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Loving without a proper aim is as pointless and harmful as sailing only to get sick.
- In plain terms
- If you do not know why you love, love will make you suffer.
- What can you take from it?
- Love without a true purpose leads to ruin.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the right end of love?
- Can love exist without purpose?
Another view
It treats love mainly as a means to an end.
More from John Donne
The heavens rejoice in motion, why should I Abjure my so much loved variety.
Permalink to quote #54 The Sestos and Abydos of her breasts Not of two lovers, but two loves the nests.
Permalink to quote #56 No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace, As I have seen in one autumnal face.
Permalink to quote #53
Related quotes
I wonder by my troth, what thou, and I Did, till we loved? were we not weaned till then? But sucked on country pleasures, childishly? Or snorted we in the seve…
John DonneJohn Donne quote #1 Men ruin themselves headlong for unworthy women.
Wilkie CollinsWilkie Collins quote #1 You know, I think everybody longs to be loved, and longs to know that he or she is lovable. And, consequently, the greatest thing that we can do is to help som…
Fred RogersFred Rogers quote #2