Article image

The 13 Most Romantic Lines in Literature

Romance has been a beloved literary theme for centuries. From the grand love stories of Shakespearean dramas to poignant and personal modern tales, romance has been woven into the fabric of epic adventures, historical sagas, and heartbreaking tragedies alike.

The details of these passionate entanglements — the flutter of a first glance, the ache of an unattainable love — have the power to evoke visceral reactions and emotions. These stories explore human connection, often while transcending cultural boundaries.

A great literary romance doesn’t just leave a lasting impression of witnessing someone else’s love story; it also taps into our own desires and vulnerabilities. It delves into the complexities of human relationships: the good, the bad, and, hopefully, the ultimate triumph of the heart over differences of all kinds.

This selection of 13 of the most romantic lines in literature will surely stir your heart, each its own testament to the enduring power of love in storytelling.

He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.
Leo Tolstoy, “Anna Karenina”

Share Quote

You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, every day we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.
Nicholas Sparks, “The Notebook”

Share Quote

I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation [for falling in love with you] … I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.
Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice"

Share Quote

Wherever you are is my home — my only home.
Charlotte Brontë, “Jane Eyre”

Share Quote

For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. And it is enough.
Diana Gabaldon, “Outlander”

Share Quote

Don’t ever think I fell for you, or fell over you. I didn’t fall in love, I rose in it.
Toni Morrison, “Jazz”

Share Quote

Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.
William Goldman, “The Princess Bride”

Share Quote

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.
Emily Brontë, “Wuthering Heights”

Share Quote

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow.
William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”

Share Quote

I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.
Charles Dickens, “Great Expectations”

Share Quote

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.
John Green, “The Fault in Our Stars”

Share Quote

I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.
Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist”

Share Quote

Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.
Louis de Bernières, “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”

Share Quote

Featured image credit: Maurice McDonald - PA Images via Getty Images

Author image
About the Author
Nicole Villeneuve
Nicole is a writer, thrift store lover, and group-chat meme spammer based in Ontario, Canada.
Play more header background
Play more icon
Daily Question
Fill in the blank: "___ is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect." - Steve Jobs

More Inspiration

happiness theme icon

Forgiveness … is a gift of high value. Yet its cost is nothing.

separator icon
Betty Smith
motivation theme icon

If you look for perfection, you will never be satisfied.

separator icon
Leo Tolstoy
hope theme icon

Pretend you’re more obsessed with this moment and a little bit less with the way it ends.

separator icon
Buddy Wakefield
love theme icon

When you enter those places of trust, or power, dream a little before you think.

separator icon
Toni Morrison
wisdom theme icon

I do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it.

separator icon
Jane Austen
happiness theme icon

A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.

separator icon
Franz Kafka
motivation theme icon

The excursion is the same when you go looking for your sorrow as when you go looking for your joy.

separator icon
Eudora Welty
hope theme icon

Act as if someone just said there’s no reason to be afraid.

separator icon
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
love theme icon

You will never get any more out of life than you expect.

separator icon
Bruce Lee
wisdom theme icon

Human beings must always be on the watch for the coming of wonders.

separator icon
E.B. White
happiness theme icon

Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.

separator icon
Fred Rogers