Originally Posted by
growler2058
Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.
- FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Interpretation: You have probably heard the saying, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” in regards to love. This quote presents an extension of that idea. It means that while the absence of a much-loved person or passion (say, playing the violin indeed makes you realize how much you really love that person or thing, absence actually makes you forget about people and pursuits that you don’t feel strongly about. This perfectly fits the metaphor of wind blowing out small flames (candles) but increasing large ones (fires).