Looking for a Tolkien Quote

[James0235]

I vaguley remember reading or hearing it before but can’t quite remember the exact quote.

It had to do with his son asking him if it were possible for a man and a woman to be just friends. His response went something like this:

“No, except in cases of certain, exceptional saints it is not possible for a man and a woman to be ‘just friends’. One will always sisappoint the other by falling in love with the other.”

Does anyone know the exact quote and possibly the context in which it was given?

James

 

[James0235]

James0235:

“One will always sisappoint the other by falling in love with the other.”

Of course the word should be “disappoint”.

James

 

[maryhodge]

I would check the volume of his letters edited by Humphrey Carpenter. That would seem to be the most likely spot. Though to be honest I don’t specifically remember that quote.