
ON LOVE
INTRODUCTORY PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION
PREFACE
PREFACE
PREFACE
PREFACE
BOOK I
I
II
III
A thoughtful exploration of love’s many faces, this work invites listeners to step into the mind of a 19th‑century thinker who wrestles with the clash between passion and society’s expectations. Through vivid observations of French, Italian and broader European attitudes, the author dissects how culture, law and education shape the ways men and women experience affection. The text balances personal anecdotes—such as the embarrassment of being made a fool by a youthful lover—with broader reflections on the freedoms required for genuine connection.
Beyond romance, the book delves into early debates on women’s rights, arguing that true love can only flourish when both partners are intellectually and socially liberated. Its style, at once conversational and scholarly, reflects a restless writer who measured his prose against the rigor of civil law. Listeners will find a rich tapestry of ideas that still resonate, offering both historical insight and timeless questions about the nature of desire and equality.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (549K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Madeleine Fournier. Images provided by The Internet Archive.
Release date
Dec 12, 2016
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1783–1842
A sharp observer of ambition, love, and self-deception, Stendhal brought unusual psychological depth to the nineteenth-century novel. His best-known works, The Red and the Black and The Charterhouse of Parma, remain celebrated for their restless energy and insight into human behavior.
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