“We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love – first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage”
— Albert Camus
Simplified Meaning:
When we care about someone deeply, we often see them in a way that isn't completely true at first. We might think they are better than they really are, imagining they are perfect or without any flaws. It's like looking through rose-colored glasses and only seeing the good parts. But after a while, our view changes. We start to notice their faults and mistakes more than before. Now, we might think they are worse than they really are, focusing too much on what they do wrong. For example, someone starts dating a new person and believes they are the perfect match, ignoring any small issues. Later, once they are more comfortable and the newness wears off, the problems seem bigger and harder to ignore. This pattern shows how we can swing between two extremes in how we see the people we love, affecting our relationships. By being aware of this, we can try to maintain a more balanced and realistic view of others.