Gore Vidal's "Lincoln" highlights the parallels between politics and romantic relationships, suggesting that opposing forces often draw together. This attraction can lead to significant misunderstandings that may cause conflict and tension. Just as in love, these disagreements can become quite intense and lead to unfortunate outcomes.

The quote emphasizes the inevitability of friction when contrasting ideals collide, illustrating how passion can turn into strife. This dynamic is not limited to personal relationships but extends into the political arena, where differing viewpoints can create equally heated and sometimes destructive situations.