“Jump out the window if you are the object of passion. Flee it if you feel it. Passion goes, boredom remains.”
- August 19, 1883 – January 10, 1971
- Born in France
- Designer, businesswoman
- Founded the Chanel brand and advocated modern and simple fashion, especially popularizing the “Chanel suit” and “little black dress,” and contributing to the liberation of women.
Quote
“Jump out the window if you are the object of passion. Flee it if you feel it. Passion goes, boredom remains.”
Explanation
In this quote, Coco Chanel offers a rather cynical view on the fleeting nature of passion, suggesting that while it can be intense and exhilarating in the moment, it is ultimately temporary and can lead to disillusionment. The idea of “jumping out the window” if you are the object of passion can be understood as a warning about the unpredictability and instability of intense emotions. Passion, for Chanel, may feel all-consuming and powerful at first, but once the initial fervor fades, what remains is often boredom or emptiness. This reflects her view that passion, in the romantic or obsessive sense, is not something to be chased after or relied upon. Instead, Chanel seems to advocate for emotional restraint and the pursuit of more grounded, lasting forms of connection or fulfillment.
Chanel’s perspective on passion can also be seen as a reflection of her own independent nature. Throughout her life, she was known for her focus on career and self-sufficiency, often resisting societal expectations of women’s dependence on romantic relationships or external validation. Her words here seem to encourage a certain level of detachment from the emotional turbulence that can come with romantic or passionate relationships. She suggests that true stability comes not from emotional extremes, but from cultivating a sense of inner peace and purpose that does not rely on the unpredictable ebbs and flows of passion.
In a modern context, Chanel’s quote can be interpreted as a critique of intense emotional attachment or idealized love that often leads to disappointment or unhealthy dependency. It serves as a reminder that while passion may spark moments of excitement, it is often the more steady and thoughtful aspects of life, such as friendship, work, or personal growth, that provide lasting satisfaction. The quote encourages us to balance passion with discernment, understanding that true fulfillment often comes from consistency and maturity, rather than the transitory rush of emotional extremes.
