The Quote That Captures Passionate Urgency
“Making love as though we’re an endangered species“
This powerful phrase resonates with readers because it captures something profound. The comparison between intimate connection and survival instinct creates an unforgettable image. Many people encounter this quote in collections or conversations. However, tracing its origin reveals a fascinating journey through literary history.
Discovering the Original Source
The phrase comes from novelist Peter De Vries, who wrote it in 1973. Source His novel “Forever Panting” contains the original passage . De Vries crafted a longer, more elaborate version than what circulates today. Writers often create memorable lines that later get shortened or adapted.
De Vries was known for his witty, philosophical prose. His writing style combined humor with deeper reflections on human nature. Consequently, this particular metaphor fit perfectly within his literary voice. The comparison works on multiple levels, suggesting urgency, dedication, and poignancy simultaneously.
How the Quote Evolved Over Time
The original version appears much longer than modern citations suggest. De Vries wrote an extended passage that continued beyond the initial simile. His prose flowed with baroque sensuality and philosophical depth. Moreover, he returned to this metaphor later in the same novel.
This repetition demonstrates how much the author valued the comparison. Writers rarely reuse the same imagery unless it holds special significance. The second appearance occurs in Chapter 16, though it remains incomplete. Nevertheless, both instances show De Vries’s commitment to this particular expression.
The Transformation Through Quotation Collections
In 1977, something interesting happened to this phrase. Laurence J. Peter compiled “Peter’s Quotations: Ideas for Our Time.” This influential collection included De Vries’s metaphor, but in a condensed form. The streamlined version read: “They made love as though they were an endangered species.”
This adaptation made several key changes. First, it shifted from first-person to third-person perspective. Additionally, it removed the elaborate descriptive language that followed. The result was a punchier, more quotable phrase. However, it also moved away from De Vries’s original wording.
Quotation collections often simplify complex passages for clarity. Editors want memorable lines that readers can easily recall and share. Therefore, they sometimes sacrifice nuance for impact. This process happened with De Vries’s metaphor, creating the version most people know today.
Why This Metaphor Resonates So Deeply
The comparison draws power from unexpected juxtaposition. Romantic intimacy seems worlds apart from biological survival imperatives. Yet the metaphor bridges these concepts brilliantly. Endangered species face extinction, fighting desperately to continue their lineage.
This urgency translates perfectly to passionate human connection. The phrase suggests lovers approaching intimacy with complete dedication. Furthermore, it implies awareness of fragility and preciousness. Nothing about the moment should be taken for granted.
Multiple Layers of Meaning
The metaphor works on several levels simultaneously. On one level, it speaks to physical intensity and focus. Endangered species cannot afford distraction or half-hearted efforts. Similarly, the lovers in this comparison bring total commitment.
On another level, the phrase carries emotional weight. Endangered species evoke feelings of loss and vulnerability. This emotional resonance adds depth to the romantic imagery. Indeed, the comparison suggests that love itself might be endangered or precious.
Environmental awareness adds contemporary relevance to the metaphor. Source Modern readers understand extinction threats more acutely than previous generations. Climate change and habitat loss make endangered species a pressing concern . Consequently, the metaphor gains additional layers of meaning.
The Role of Literary Attribution
Proper attribution matters significantly in literary circles. Readers deserve to know who created memorable phrases. However, quotations often circulate with incomplete or incorrect attribution. This case demonstrates how even correct attribution can accompany altered wording.
The 2008 “Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations” included this phrase. Editor Ned Sherrin credited Peter De Vries appropriately. However, the entry referenced Laurence J. Peter’s 1977 compilation as the source. This citation chain shows how quotations pass through multiple hands.
Each iteration potentially moves further from the original text. Nevertheless, the core attribution to De Vries remained constant. This consistency helps researchers trace the quote’s history. Ultimately, it allows us to find the original passage in “Forever Panting.”
Understanding Literary Evolution
Quotes evolve naturally as they spread through culture. People remember core ideas rather than exact wording. Additionally, shorter versions prove easier to share and recall. This natural selection process favors punchy, memorable phrasing.
De Vries’s original passage contained beautiful, flowing prose. The extended description enhanced the metaphor with sensual detail. However, this elaboration made the quote less portable. Casual conversation rarely accommodates lengthy literary passages.
The condensed version sacrificed richness for accessibility. This trade-off occurs frequently with popular quotations. Shakespeare’s lines often appear in simplified forms. Similarly, philosophical statements get reduced to their essential core. The process serves practical purposes while potentially losing nuance.
The Metaphor’s Enduring Appeal
Decades after De Vries wrote these words, they continue resonating. The comparison feels fresh despite its 1970s origin. This timelessness stems from universal human experiences. Love, passion, and awareness of mortality transcend specific eras.
Moreover, the endangered species concept remains culturally relevant. Environmental consciousness has only grown since 1973. Therefore, the metaphor speaks even more powerfully to contemporary audiences. It connects personal intimacy with planetary concerns in unexpected ways.
Writers seek metaphors that illuminate human experience through surprising comparisons. De Vries succeeded brilliantly with this phrase. The juxtaposition of bedroom and biosphere creates cognitive spark. Readers must reconcile two seemingly unrelated domains, generating memorable impact.
Lessons About Quotation Accuracy
This case study offers valuable lessons for anyone citing sources. First, always verify quotations against original texts when possible. Secondary sources like quotation collections serve as starting points, not endpoints. They may contain simplified or altered versions.
Second, understand that evolution doesn’t necessarily mean error. The condensed version of De Vries’s metaphor serves different purposes than the original. Both have validity within their respective contexts. However, scholars and writers should acknowledge these differences.
Finally, appreciate how language lives and changes through use. Quotations become part of collective culture, adapting to new contexts. This process enriches our shared vocabulary while sometimes obscuring origins. Therefore, researchers who trace these evolutionary paths perform valuable cultural work.
Conclusion: A Metaphor Worth Remembering
Peter De Vries created something special in 1973. His comparison of lovemaking to endangered species survival captured imagination immediately. The phrase has endured through decades, appearing in numerous quotation collections. Although its wording has shifted, the core metaphor remains powerful.
Understanding this quote’s history enriches our appreciation of it. We can recognize De Vries’s literary craftsmanship while acknowledging how quotations naturally evolve. The metaphor works because it connects intimate human experience with broader existential concerns. It reminds us that love, like rare species, deserves our complete attention and dedication.
Whether you encounter the original elaborate version or the streamlined adaptation, the message resonates. Indeed, approaching love with the urgency of survival might be exactly what we need. In a world where genuine connection sometimes feels endangered, this metaphor offers both warning and inspiration.