The quote explains that initial feelings of love are driven by the desire to observe and experience the beloved, rather than to own or possess them. This early stage of love is about understanding and comparing oneself with the loved object, much like reflections in separate mirrors.
As time passes, this pure desire can fade, leading love to transform into habits of possession or attachment, which may ultimately result in loneliness. The passage highlights the fragile nature of love and how it can evolve into something less genuine if not nurtured sincerely.