November 10, 2010

Platonic Affection

That refined Degree of Platonic Affection, which is absolutely detached from the Flesh, and is, indeed, entirely and purely spiritual, is a Gift confined to the female Part of the Creation; many of whom I have heard declare (and, doubtless, with great Truth), that they would, with the utmost Readiness, resigns a Lover to a Rival, when such Resignation was probed to be necessary for the temporal Interest of such Lover. Hence, therefore, I conclude that this Affection is in Nature, though I cannot pretend to say I have ever seen an Instance of it.

Henry Fielding: The History of Tom Jones, XVI v
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