Inklingo
"Donde no puedas amar, no te demores."

Frida Kahlo

/DOHN-deh no PWEH-dahs ah-MAR, no teh deh-MOH-rehs/

Where you cannot love, do not linger.

Level:B2Style:LiteraryPopular:★★★★★

💡 Understanding the Quote

Original Spanish:
"Donde no puedas amar, no te demores."
English Translation:
Where you cannot love, do not linger.
Deeper Meaning:
This is a powerful piece of life advice encouraging people to leave situations, places, or relationships where they don't feel passion, connection, or happiness. It's a call to action to not waste time in emotionally unfulfilling environments and to actively seek places where one can thrive.

🎨 Visual Representation

An artistic representation of someone leaving a gray, lifeless place and walking towards a vibrant, colorful one.

The quote advises us to have the courage to leave places and situations devoid of love and passion.

🔑 Key Words

amardemorarse
donde
donde
where

📖 Context

Widely attributed to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, though its exact origin in her writings is debated. It perfectly encapsulates her passionate, unapologetic, and uncompromising approach to life, love, and self-worth.

📝 In Action

Si odias tu trabajo y no te inspira, recuerda la frase de Frida Kahlo: 'Donde no puedas amar, no te demores'.

B2

If you hate your job and it doesn't inspire you, remember Frida Kahlo's phrase: 'Where you cannot love, do not linger.'

Dejé esa ciudad porque me sentía estancado. Fue una decisión difícil, pero como dicen, donde no puedas amar, no te demores.

B2

I left that city because I felt stuck. It was a difficult decision, but as they say, where you cannot love, do not linger.

✍️ About the Author

Frida Kahlo

🇲🇽Mexican📅 1907-1954

📜 Historical Context

This quote is strongly associated with the personal philosophy of Frida Kahlo. Her life was marked by intense passion, chronic physical pain, and a famously tumultuous relationship with fellow artist Diego Rivera. This phrase reflects her fierce refusal to settle for situations that didn't align with her authentic, passionate self.

🌍 Cultural Significance

Though its exact attribution is debated, this quote has been embraced globally as a powerful mantra of self-respect and empowerment. It's frequently shared on social media and used in art, especially within feminist and self-love movements, as a call to prioritize one's own emotional well-being above all else.

📚 Literary Analysis

The power of this quote lies in its directness. It uses a simple cause-and-effect structure. The condition is set with the subjunctive mood ('no puedas amar'), which describes a state of inability or an unfulfilling environment. This is immediately followed by a direct, negative command ('no te demores'). This pairing creates an urgent and clear piece of advice: if the condition is true, the action is non-negotiable.

⭐ Usage Tips

For Empowering Advice

Use this quote to offer powerful, empathetic advice to someone feeling stuck in a negative relationship, job, or situation. It validates their feelings and encourages them to make a change for their own well-being.

As a Personal Mantra

It's often used as a personal reminder to be mindful of one's own happiness and to have the courage to leave environments that are emotionally draining or unfulfilling.

🔗 Related Quotes

✍️ More from This Author

"Pies, ¿para qué los quiero si tengo alas pa' volar?"

Another famous attributed quote about freedom and overcoming limitations.

💭 Similar Themes

"El que no se mueve, no siente las cadenas."

Rosa Luxemburg

A quote about the need for action to realize one's own confinement and seek freedom.

"Si no escalas la montaña, jamás podrás disfrutar el paisaje."

Pablo Neruda (attributed)

A quote emphasizing that effort and action are required to achieve rewarding experiences.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Donde no puedas amar, no te demores.

Question 1 of 2

To which famous artist is the quote 'Donde no puedas amar, no te demores' most often attributed?

🏷️ Categories

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Frida Kahlo definitely say this?

While the quote perfectly captures her spirit and is almost universally attributed to her, there is no definitive, verifiable source (like a signed letter or published work) where it appears. It's best to say it is 'attributed to' her.

Is 'demores' a common word?

Yes, it comes from the reflexive verb 'demorarse,' which means 'to delay' or 'to take a long time.' In this context, 'no te demores' means 'don't delay,' 'don't linger,' or 'don't stick around.' It's a common verb in both Spain and Latin America.