We all search for romance in our lives. From the music we listen to to the books we read, we are drawn to beautiful passages about how love infiltrates so many different facets of our lives. In fact, much of our inspiration around love comes from art itself.
You probably remember specific lines from books you’ve read that have made a lasting impression on you. Some of those might even be about love, whether of family, friends, or a significant other. But what are some of the most well-known quotes about love?
We’ve narrowed down some all-time favorites. Let’s see if yours makes the list.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin
Is there a more well-known romance than this? There are many lines we could pull from this famous novel, which has inspired multiple movies, but the below stands the test of time.
“In vain, have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
The Poetry of Pablo Neruda, Pablo Neruda
Poetry inspires more romantic language than almost any other form of art. So, it should come as no surprise that we’ve got some on this list. And of course, Neruda is a must.
“I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.”
– Sonnett XVII
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
Another famous novel that inspired many romantic quotes. How could we ever keep Bronte off our list? Let alone this incredible quote that is permanently etched into our memory.
“It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same…”
Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak
How hard is it to put the feeling of a perfect kiss into words? Pasternak seems to make it effortless with this passage from his famous novel.
“You and I, it’s as though we have been taught to kiss in heaven and sent down to earth together, to see if we know what we were taught.”
Princess Bride, William Goldman
Both as a book and a movie, The Princess Bride, has inspired a generation of young girls to want to be a wise talking princess. But, as with most great movies, we can’t ignore the spark of love between the princess and her rescuer.
“I thought an hour ago that I loved you more than any woman has ever loved a man, but a half hour after that I knew that what I felt before was nothing compared to what I felt then. But ten minutes after that, I understood that my previous love was a puddle compared to the high seas before a storm.”
100 Selected Poems, E.E. Cummings
Another amazing poet, more great words we could never have come up with.
“my blood approves,
and kisses are better fate
than wisdom”
–since feeling is first
What is your favorite romantic quote?
