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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans learn through the intense experiences of love and suffering. Loving fully requires accepting the risk of deep pain.
In plain terms
We learn by loving and suffering, even though it hurts.
What can you take from it?
Love fully despite the risk of hurt.

Where it applies

  • personal relationships
  • emotional growth
  • philosophical reflection

Putting it to work

  • practice open emotional expression
  • accept risk in intimacy

Questions to consider

  • What risks are you unwilling to take for love?
  • Is avoiding pain worth avoiding depth?

Another view

Not all hurt leads to growth; some damage is purely destructive.

More from William S. Burroughs

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