Inspiring Quotes About Love

Men's Dating

Inspiring Quotes About Love

Hunt Ethridge

Written by: Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge is the co-founder and CMO of the MatchmakingAcademy.com as well as senior advisor and board of directors at other firms. He has been featured in well over 100 media sources and currently "coach on record" for most of the top matchmaking firms in the U.S. and internationally. You can follow him on Instagram or Clubhouse.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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Reviewed by: Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks is the Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being "boy crazy," but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. As an English major at the University of Florida, Amber honed her communication skills to write clearly, knowledgeably, and passionately about a variety of subjects. Now with over 1,800 lifestyle articles to her name, Amber brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to DatingAdvice.com. She has been quoted as a dating expert by The Washington Times, Cosmopolitan, The New York Post, Bustle, Salon, Well+Good, and AskMen.

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I am a big fan of quotes. When I was in theater in high school, I loved having a Shakespeare quote or two handy.  Even before the internet — I had books of quotes at home.  (“Peter’s Quotations,” published in 1977 and “The Guinness Book of Poisonous Quotes,” published in 1991, among others)  

Why do I like quotes so much? I’d refer you to the quote, “I quote others only in order the better to express myself.” — Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays.  

Sometimes I can’t quite articulate something the way I feel it. Or someone else uses a great metaphor to help me understand a concept better.

In this vein, let’s look at some of my favorite quotes on love and relationships, with some asides by yours truly about why I think they are worth remembering.

Absence Diminishes Little Passions – Roger de Rabutin

Two love quotes have always been at odds with me: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” and “Out of sight, out of mind.” I could see how both could be true.  

When I found this quote by Roger de Rabutin, it made a lot more sense. 

“Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.” – Roger de Rabutin

You need the foundation of love first, so that you have something to miss. No one’s going to be pining after you if you didn’t give them anything to pine over!

“Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” — Franklin P. Jones

Call me a hopeless romantic, but I say anything can be fun and enjoyable if you have someone you love riding shotgun, singing, and cheering with you!

Love Is Patient and Kind – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

We’ve all heard this quote before at a wedding or two, right?

”Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I’m not a big Bible fan, but I do like this quote. I think this is the kind of idealized romantic love that we should try to emulate.

While this love quote may seem a fantasy to some, I think it’s worth striving for. It’s also a good reminder to let you know where love isn’t.

Meaningful Quotes About Love

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” – Antoine de Saint Exupery

When having an argument with your partner, you must remember that it is not you versus them.  It is the two of you versus the world. Looking outward in the same direction. Having the same value systems. You see the world similarly and are a unit, facing it together.

“I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sometimes, we need that love to bring out the best in us. Sometimes we can’t see it ourselves, in our low points.  Having someone who sees you in a loving light can help you understand how wonderful you actually are.

“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” – Vincent van Gogh

Love is not only meant for your romantic partner. Love your friends, love your town, love your favorite holiday. When you are able to share love in many areas of your life, it 1) makes you much happier and 2) makes it much easier for love to be reflected back onto you.

Music Quotes About Love

“Watching your chest rise and fall like tides of my life. Your bones have been my bedframe, and your flesh has been my pillow.” – Ani DiFranco, “Both Hands”

I just love this one. A simple couple of lines of someone watching their significant other sleep, thinking of how much they mean to them.

“I found a dream that I could speak to. A dream that I can call my own. I found a thrill to press my cheek to. A thrill that I have never known.” – Etta James, “At Last”

Etta James is an absolute legend, and when she croons about finding her dream man, it hits me in the feels.

“And when you ran to me, your cheeks flushed with the night. We walked on frosted fields, of juniper and lamplight. I held your hand.” – Simon & Garfunkel, “For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her”

Most times, when we think about the sweetest day, or most loving memory, or even best compliment, it’s not some grandiose thing. It’s the little things, the moments of stillness and feelings amid life’s chaotic cacophony. This whole song is just a tribute to that.

Love at First Sight Is a Myth – Damona Hoffman

I love this quote because we need the reality as well as the fantasy. LUST at first sight exists. Love at first sight, not so much.

“Love at first sight is a myth. True chemistry and connection develops over time.” – Damona Hoffman, “F the Fairytale”

Fascination, excitement, attraction, and electricity at first sight exist. But love is something deeper and more mature than that.  It takes time and vulnerability to discover. 

“We have this idea that love is supposed to last forever. But love isn’t like that. It’s a free-flowing energy that comes and goes when it pleases. Sometimes, it stays for life; other times it stays for a second, a day, a month or a year. So don’t fear love when it comes simply because it makes you vulnerable. But don’t be surprised when it leaves either. Just be glad you had the opportunity to experience it.” — Neil Strauss, “The Game”

I hesitated to even include this one as “The Game” is a bit of a black eye on the field of dating and love. But even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Love is a beautiful and wondrous thing if we let it be what it is meant to be. 

But sometimes if we force into what we want or wish it to be, it will leave us. Don’t necessarily run away from a relationship, just because you know it has a shelf life. 

“Meeting someone you like and dating them is supposed to make you feel better, not worse.” – “He’s Just Not That Into You”

A healthy relationship lifts you up. A good partner makes you feel good about yourself. That’s it. Full stop.

Love Is Like…. 

There are a lot of quotes comparing love to something else. Here’s a list of my favorites:

“Love is like pi – natural, irrational, and very important.” – Lisa Hoffman

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” — Nicholas Sparks

“Love is like swallowing hot chocolate before it has cooled off. It takes you by surprise at first, but keeps you warm for a long time.” — Henri Frederic Amiel

“Love is like a mirror. When you love another you become his mirror and he becomes yours …. And reflecting each other’s love you see infinity.” — Leo Buscaglia

Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing.” — Dolly Parton

“Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life – however, it can spoil it, too.” – Confucius

“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” — Bruce Lee

“Love is like magic and it always will be. For love still remains life’s sweet mystery! Love works in ways that are wondrous and strange and there’s nothing in life that love cannot change! Love can transform the most commonplace into beauty and splendor and sweetness and grace. Love is unselfish, understanding and kind, for it sees with its heart and not with its mind! Love is the answer that everyone seeks… Love is the language that every heart speaks. Love can’t be bought, it is priceless and free, love, like pure magic, is life’s sweet mystery!” — Helen Steiner Rice

Some Quotes Give Us a Better Understanding of Love & Life

All people have different ways of hearing and learning. If I were speaking to a sports guy and I quoted author Brené Brown, he may not get what I am trying to get across.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen”. – Brené Brown (empowerment author)

But if I can come up with a good quote by an athlete he knows, not only we will both connect because of the (assumed) shared sports interest, but the point might hit home more solidly.

“Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” – Bethany Hamilton (shark-attack survivor and surfer)

That’s why it’s so fun to look up quotes and have these words of wisdom in your mind as you tackle the ups and downs of love. Think of these quotes as a guiding light toward your version of happiness. Or think of them as something fun and interesting to say on a date night. Whatever you make of them, I hope you take them to heart.