This quote offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of love and friendship. It suggests that friendship and love share many core elements, with the main differences being the presence of sexual attraction and reasoning.
In saying “Friendship is love minus sex plus reason”, it implies that friendships are based on mutual affection and understanding, similar to love, but without any sexual component. The addition of ‘reason’ indicates that friendships often involve more logical decision-making processes – we choose our friends based on shared interests, values or experiences.
“Love is friendship plus sex minus reason” then suggests that romantic relationships have all the elements of a strong friendship but include sexual attraction. The subtraction of ‘reason’ implies an element of irrationality in romantic love – sometimes we fall in love without any clear logic or explanation.
Applying this idea to today’s world or personal development could suggest several things. One might be to emphasize the importance of building a solid foundation of friendship in romantic relationships – this could mean prioritizing shared interests, mutual respect and understanding before introducing the complex dynamics that come with sexual attraction.
Another could be about managing our expectations when it comes to romance. This quote reminds us that falling in love isn’t always rational – sometimes we can’t explain why we’re attracted to someone, even if they don’t necessarily align with what we thought was our ‘type’. It’s about embracing these complexities rather than trying to force them into a box.
it underscores how valuable friendships can be for personal growth. Friendships offer an opportunity for us to learn from others, challenge ourselves and develop emotional intelligence – all crucial components for self-development.
