On love

In 'On Love,' Stendhal provides a detailed analysis of the complexities of romantic love.

He categorizes love into four main types: physical love, love as a social game, vanity love, and passion love, with a particular focus on the latter.

Stendhal outlines seven progressive stages of love, from admiration to 'crystallization,' a process where the lover attributes perfection to the beloved by layering observed traits with positive and often exaggerated qualities.

This work is deeply personal, influenced by Stendhal's own experiences of unrequited love, and offers a blend of historical examples, personal anecdotes, and psychological insights into the nature of love.