'Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow' - John Gay

The quote “Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow” by John Gay has been a source of both comfort and confusion for many lovers over the years. It speaks to the fickle nature of love, and the way in which pursuing it can sometimes push it away, while turning your back on it can make it seem more enticing.

At its heart, this quote is a reminder that love is not something that can be controlled or manipulated. We can’t force someone to love us, or make ourselves fall in love with someone we’re not really attracted to. Love is a mysterious and unpredictable force that seems to operate on its own terms, often leaving us feeling bewildered and frustrated.

When we try too hard to win someone’s affections, it can actually backfire and make them less interested in us. This is because desperation and neediness are not attractive qualities, and can make us seem clingy or smothering. On the other hand, if we show a willingness to walk away from a relationship that isn’t working, it can sometimes reignite the spark of interest in our partner, and make them realize what they stand to lose.

Of course, this quote is not a prescription for how to succeed in love. It’s simply a poetic observation about the way in which love can behave in unexpected ways. Ultimately, the only way to find true happiness in love is to be true to ourselves, and to be willing to take risks and put ourselves out there, even if it means facing rejection or heartbreak.

So if you’re struggling to make sense of love, or if you feel like you’re stuck in a relationship that isn’t working, remember John Gay’s wise words. Follow love, but don’t chase it too hard. Flee love, but don’t run too far away. And always be true to your heart, even when it feels like it’s leading you down a frustrating and confusing path.

Who is “John Gay”?

John Gay was an English poet and dramatist, best known for his ballad opera, The Beggar’s Opera, which was first performed in 1728. He was born in 1685 and died in 1732.

Are there any books about “John Gay”?

Yes, there are several books about John Gay, an 18th-century English poet and dramatist. Some of the notable ones include:

1. “The Life and Letters of John Gay (1685-1732)” by Christopher Hussey
2. “John Gay, Poet of a Lower Order” by O M Brack Jr.
3. “John Gay: A Profession of Friendship” by David Nokes
4. “John Gay and the London Theatre” by James R. Newcombe
5. “John Gay: His Place in the Eighteenth Century” by R. F. Brissenden

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