As Venus within Eros does not really aim at pleasure, so Eros does not aim at happiness. We may think he does, but when he is brought to the test it proves otherwise... For it is the very mark of Eros that when he is in us we had rather share unhappiness with the Beloved than be happy on any other terms.

Summary

This quote suggests that both Venus and Eros, the gods of love, do not solely pursue pleasure or happiness. While we might assume that Eros aims for happiness, this quotation reveals that when tested, his true desire is not centered around personal happiness. Instead, Eros is distinguished by the fact that when he resides within us, we would rather endure unhappiness alongside our beloved than be content under any different circumstances. This implies that love, as represented by Eros, transcends personal happiness and prioritizes a deep connection and shared experiences with the beloved.

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