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About this quote

What does it mean?
Men often desire women directly, but women often desire the man's desire for them rather than the man himself.
In plain terms
Women want to be wanted more than they want the person.
What can you take from it?
Desire can be reflexive rather than direct.

Where it applies

  • romantic relationships
  • dating dynamics
  • self-perception

Putting it to work

  • analyze motivation
  • seek mutual desire
  • evaluate attraction

Questions to consider

  • Do you desire the person or their attention?
  • How does being desired affect your feelings?

Another view

This generalization may not apply to all individuals or cultures.

More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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