The curse of the romantic is a greed for dreams, an intensity of expectation that, in the end, diminishes the reality.

In this quote, Marya Mannes reflects on the inherent dangers of being overly romantic or idealistic. She suggests that the curse of the romantic lies in their greed for dreams—a constant yearning for perfect, unattainable ideals. This intensity of expectation can lead to disappointment when reality fails to meet the high standards set by these dreams. Mannes implies that the more one seeks perfection in love, life, or success, the more they risk diminishing the reality of those experiences, as they can never truly live up to the imagined ideal.

Mannes is pointing out the disconnect that often arises between idealized notions and the reality of life. For romantics, the dream is often more satisfying than the actual experience because the expectation of something better can make the real thing feel inadequate. The pursuit of these unattainable dreams can, ironically, cause people to overlook the beauty and satisfaction of the present moment, leaving them unsatisfied despite achieving what they once desired.

The origin of this quote lies in Mannes' exploration of human nature, particularly the tension between dreams and reality. As a writer and critic, she was keenly aware of how deeply people’s expectations can shape their experiences. Her words warn against allowing romanticism to overshadow the real, more grounded aspects of life, urging a balance between idealism and practicality.

In essence, Mannes highlights the emotional cost of idealizing experiences or relationships to the point where they can no longer satisfy us. The greed for dreams is not necessarily a negative trait, but it becomes problematic when it prevents us from fully appreciating the authentic, sometimes imperfect nature of our lived experiences.