We never know about anybody else's relationship and how they
We never know about anybody else's relationship and how they work - particularly the ones that work for a really, really long time. I was going to say only the people in it, but often, not even they understand how it works.
When Tilda Swinton reflects, “We never know about anybody else’s relationship and how they work — particularly the ones that work for a really, really long time. I was going to say only the people in it, but often, not even they understand how it works,” she speaks as one who has peered into the mystery of human bonds. Her words remind us that the joining of two souls is like a hidden garden: outsiders cannot see its roots, and even those who tend it do not always comprehend its secret life.
The origin of this wisdom lies in the enigma of love and companionship itself. For no two relationships are the same, and no single rule governs the endurance of affection across years and trials. What to the world may appear fragile may endure like stone; what appears strong may crumble overnight. Swinton’s words expose the humility required to regard love honestly: it is not a puzzle easily solved, but a living force that defies explanation.
To say that “not even they understand how it works” is to acknowledge that love often surpasses reason. A relationship may last not because its members can explain it, but because they continue to choose each other through uncertainty. The endurance of bonds is woven from countless small acts — patience, forgiveness, laughter, and even silence — threads that together form a fabric neither predictable nor easily unraveled.
Her words also serve as a rebuke to judgment. Too often, the world presumes to know why some unions fail and others endure. Swinton counsels otherwise: the truth of a relationship lies hidden within, shielded from the gaze of outsiders, and even the participants themselves may stand in awe before its mystery. To demand explanation is to miss the wonder of its unfolding.
Let the generations remember: love is not a formula but a mystery. Every enduring relationship carries within it a secret alchemy, unseen and often unknown, yet real in its strength. Tilda Swinton’s words endure as a gentle reminder that the deepest bonds in life are not to be dissected or judged, but to be honored as the sacred mysteries they are.
THLe Thu Hoai
This quote captures a thought I’ve had many times — that relationships are often not as clear-cut as we think. They can thrive for years, yet the people within them may still struggle to define exactly how it works. It’s comforting, in a way, to know that no one has it all figured out. But it also makes me wonder, how do long-lasting relationships stay strong despite not having a clear, shared understanding?
TMPham Tra My
I can’t help but agree with Tilda Swinton's observation. Relationships are so personal, and often the inner workings are beyond our understanding, even for the people who are part of them. I wonder, though, if this is the case with all relationships, or do some have a clearer understanding of what makes them work? Can communication or openness make it easier for others to see how a relationship functions, or is it always just a mystery?
NPNguyen ngoc phuoc
I’ve always felt that relationships, especially lasting ones, are unique to each couple. They seem to work in ways that are hard to explain or replicate. What’s fascinating is how much we assume about other people's relationships, but we really have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. How can we truly judge what makes a relationship work when it’s often a mystery, even to those involved?
TDThuy Duong
This quote really made me think. Relationships are such a complex thing, and it’s true that no one really understands them fully — not even the people in them. It’s like we all just find our own way, and it works for us, even if it doesn’t always make sense to others. Do you think this mystery is what makes long-term relationships so special, or does it also create challenges along the way?