Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.

The quote "Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds" from William Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 speaks to the steadfast and unchanging nature of true love. Shakespeare suggests that genuine love does not change or fade when it faces challenges or circumstances change. True love remains constant, no matter the external forces that may test it. It does not shift based on time, trials, or difficult situations, but stays firm, enduring through all.

In the context of the sonnet, Shakespeare defines love as something that is eternal and unmovable. He contrasts true love with superficial affection that may change with time or adversity. According to the poet, if love can be altered, then it was never true love in the first place. This perspective elevates love to something far beyond temporary feelings or conditions—it becomes an unwavering force that stands the test of time and change.

The origin of this quote is found in Sonnet 116, one of Shakespeare's most famous poems about love. In this sonnet, he writes about the ideal of love, describing it as a force that does not bend or waver. The line “love is not love that alters when it alteration finds” expresses his belief that authentic love is not influenced by external factors, such as physical changes, misunderstandings, or difficult times. It is a love that holds strong regardless of the challenges that may arise.

Ultimately, Shakespeare’s quote encourages a pure, unshakable view of love, one that remains constant and unwavering through life's ups and downs. True love, as he sees it, is not conditional or temporary, but rather something eternal that does not change when circumstances change. It speaks to love's strength, its ability to endure, and its intrinsic stability even when the world around it shifts.