Because I'm happy that you exist at all, Elisabeth. Perhaps I love you. Perhaps I love you very much. But probably just for this reason it would be better if we remain as we are. I think a man and a woman love each other all the more when they don't live together and when they know about each other only that they exist, and when they are grateful to each other for the fact that they exist and that they know they exist. And that alone is enough for their happiness.
The quote expresses a deep appreciation for someone's existence, highlighting the significance of loving someone from a distance. The speaker suggests that the feelings they have may be profound, but implies that maintaining a separate relationship might lead to a more intense love. This distance allows both parties to cherish their connection without the complications that often arise from living together.
This sentiment emphasizes the value of gratitude in love, where simply knowing another person exists brings happiness. The speaker believes that the acknowledgment of each other's existence can be sufficient for a fulfilling relationship, suggesting that emotional bonds do not always require physical closeness to thrive.