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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker realizes love is not a choice they make but a force that selects them. They also note that negative forces like hatred are blocked from reaching them.
In plain terms
Love chooses you, not the other way around, and bad things are kept away.
What can you take from it?
Accept that love happens to you rather than trying to control it.

Where it applies

  • romantic reflection
  • spiritual contemplation
  • dealing with rejection

Putting it to work

  • writing poetry
  • personal meditation
  • relationship counseling

Questions to consider

  • Have you ever felt chosen by someone?
  • How do you handle unwanted feelings?

Another view

It may feel passive to say love chooses you rather than you choosing it.

More from Leonard Cohen

  1. You whisper, 'You have loved enough, Now let me be the Lover.'

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  2. Children show scars like medals. Lovers use them as secrets to reveal. A scar is what happens when the word is made flesh. It is easy to display a wound, the p…

    Permalink to quote #50
  3. I'll try to say a little more: Love went on and on Until it reached an open door - Then Love Itself Love Itself was gone.

    Permalink to quote #47

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