Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
Summary
This quote suggests that the absence of something or someone can have contrasting effects on our emotions. It states that absence has a tendency to reduce small or insignificant emotions, while intensifying stronger emotions. The analogy of wind extinguishing candles indicates that absence can weaken or erase the less significant feelings. On the other hand, the comparison to a fan fueling fire suggests that absence can amplify powerful emotions, making them even more intense in the absence of their object. Overall, the quote implies that absence can both suppress and intensify our passions depending on their magnitude.