Sonnet 130:
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red, than her lips red:
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound:
I grant I never saw a goddess go,
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare,
As any she belied with false compare. — Bill Shakespeare
“Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation of the middle-aged, and the mutual dependence of the old.” — John Ciardi, professor, editor, author
“Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it’s cracked up to be. That’s why people are so cynical about it… It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” — Erica Jong (author of Fear of Flying, et al)
I'm composing a reading list to start tackling the topic of love in philosophy. Here's what I got so far:
phaedrus
symposium
the nature of things (selections)
conditions of love: the philosophy of intimacy john armstrong
the art of loving erich fromm — Moliere
The Heart of a Dog by Bulgakov; It doesn't have anything to do with love, but it's very good. — Bitter Crank
"The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt — TimeLine
That is actually a great point, I will certainly read it and with the recent banning of a children's movie in Russia, a focus on the subject vis-a-vis sexuality is pretty interesting.I hate to mention this in the present company of high art, but there is a children's story that I think makes a quite good point about love: The Velveteen Rabbit. I first heard it as a middle age'd adult. The Velveteen Rabbit wants to know how to become real. The rocking horse explains that one becomes real by being loved. Adults who prefer sucking lemons won't like the book. — Bitter Crank
But I thought I'd post to see if other folks have already read papers or books on the topic, and could share to help compile a list of reading material on the topic. — Moliere
I think poetry would be one of your best sources. — Bitter Crank
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