People don't love each other at our age, Marthe-they please each other, that's all. Later on, when you're old and impotent, you can love someone. At our age, you just think you do. That's all it is.
In "A Happy Death," Albert Camus presents a stark perspective on love, particularly through the lens of youth and desire. The character suggests that what people experience in their younger years is a sort of superficial pleasure-seeking rather than true love. This notion implies that genuine emotional connections blossom only later in life, when individuals have matured and faced the realities of aging and vulnerability.
Camus argues that the passion felt in youth is often mistaken for deep affection, as it primarily revolves around physical attraction and momentary satisfaction. The idea is that true love requires time and introspection, allowing people to develop meaningful relationships beyond mere physical encounters. This reflects a philosophical view of love as something that evolves with one's experiences and age.