Valentine’s Day Quotes and a Brief History of the Day

A Brief History of Valentine’s Day

Before we get to the Valentine’s Day quotes, I wanted to share a little bit of history about the day. Most of us have probably heard a bit about St. Valentine. And by a bit, I mean that there was such a person at one time or another. There were actually three Catholic saints named Valentine (or Valentinus), but the day’s name is largely attributed to a priest named Valentine who was martyred for performing outlawed marriages during the third century.

Beyond the Catholic Church, though, Valentine’s Day is thought to have developed out of Lupercalia, a pagan festival dedicated to Fanunus, the Roman god of agriculture, celebrated in mid-February. Besides the god of agriculture, Lupercalia also celebrated Rome’s founders, Romulus and Remus. After sacrificing various animals, the festivities ended with unmarried men and women being paired up in marriage. Not quite the candy hearts we have today, but interesting nonetheless.

For more information, check out this History.com piece about the History of Valentine’s day.

Quotes to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Ok, now that we’ve discussed martyred saints and pagan rituals, let’s turn to something a little lighter — Valentine’s Day Quotes! I love quotes — especially those from literary figures. So, I figured, why not celebrate Valentine’s Day with a few great quotes?

P.S. If you’re looking for general quotes, I recommend
my Quotables board on Pinterest.

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart. – Jane Austen

Where there is great love, there are always wishes.

Willa Cather

If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.

Maya Angelou

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.

Charles M. Schulz

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Lao Tzu

I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.

Paulo Coelho 

Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.

Ursula K. Le Guin

To love at all is to be vulnerable.

C.S. Lewis

Love liberates. It doesn’t bind.

Maya Angelou

Refresh your new year goals by reviewing some
literary quotes about the New Year!


*This post was originally published in February 2021. It was most recently updated on February 12, 2024.