5 Most Romantic Quotes To Set in the Mood This Valentine’s Day
Consider them pick-up lines or passages to make you happy, but these are the sweetest words I found in English literature.
Consider them pick-up lines or passages to make you happy, but these are the sweetest words I found in English literature.
February is the season of love. And no, before you start rolling your eyes, let me make it clear that I’m not a die-hard romantic. I even get tired of reading pure romance novels.
However, since so many people on this planet are celebrating, I thought there’s no harm in compiling some of the sweetest, mushiest, most romantic quotes and scenes I’ve come across so far.
You can consider them as book recommendations. Or you can treat this as a list of the most romantic quotes in English literature to set in the mood for the upcoming season of love. Either way, read on to be hit right in the feels with the magic of words.
(Note: The links mentioned in this article are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase these books through these links, it will help me earn a small amount — at no extra cost to you. Thanks!)
“I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.”
― Pablo Neruda, Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair
If there were ever an award for saying a lot using the least words, it would go to Pablo Neruda. There’s a raw beauty in his words, an innocence that speaks volumes without saying much at all.
True, the “Instapoets” of today have pretty much claimed all the copyrights on poetry, but if you’re looking to get all the feels without exhausting your brain, Neruda is your go-to author.
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.”
― Jane Austen, Persuasion
If someone were to say this to me, you’d find me on the floor — for I’d have melted into a warm mush of happiness.
Persuasion is one of Jane Austen’s lesser-known books, but perhaps one of my favorites. This novel comes closest to the more popular Sense and Sensibility in terms of plot and character development. But the author’s experience, her sharp wit, and her willingness to experiment with profound existential questions shine through in this story.
And no, this isn’t a love story per se, though there are elements that will make you go weak at the knees. This novel is a philosophical look into the human psyche and how the confusion between our wants and needs forces us to make decisions we end up regretting all our lives.
“Don’t ever think I fell for you or fell over you. I didn’t fall in love; I rose in it.”
― Toni Morrison, Jazz
You might have seen many variations of this quote today on social media, but the first magic was concocted by none other than the brilliant Toni Morrison.
It might surprise you how a book set in America's post-slavery period might have such a beautiful line, but here’s the catch: Jazz encapsulates so many emotions of what it means to be alive.
It’s an emotional and a fantastic read. The running theme is how childhood trauma can change a person forever. This would definitely be one of the most touching books you ever read if you get to it.
“No one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”
― John Joseph Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love
I love this quote so much because it reflects my idea of an ideal relationship — one where both partners are interested in each other’s growth. Together, they embark on a quest to constantly strive to be the best versions of themselves.
As licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Benoir writes in Psychology Today, “A healthy relationship makes us feel happier and more secure with our partners. And the more that we feel that gratitude, the more we feel appreciated for who we are within relationships, which also improves the relationship’s well-being.”
“Kiss me, and you will see how important I am.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals
How can a post about love quotes end without an ode to self-love?
Sylvia Plath might not be the best role model to consider while talking about loving yourself. Still, her journals are a repository of powerful sentiments about what it means to be a woman who knows her worth. They will instill in you a strong sense of never settling for anything less than what you deserve and being connected with the flame of potential that burns bright in your soul.
Final Thoughts
It might get a little overwhelming after a while — when all everyone else does is talk about love. Especially for people who are single or don’t currently live with their partners, a sense of loneliness might seep in.
If you ever feel disillusioned or that everything is a sham, I’m leaving you with a quote by Oscar Wilde to ponder upon:
“When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one’s self, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.”
― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
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