Quote by Sei Shonagon: “A lover who has been with you a long time. It gives a sense of security.”

This expresses the comfort and stability found in long-term relationships. It acknowledges that deep, lasting connections foster a sense of safety and trust, contrasting with the often fleeting nature of new romances and highlighting the value of enduring companionship.

In an era where marriages and relationships often involved strategic alliances, Shōnagon's personal reflections occasionally touched upon the emotional realities and desires for genuine affection and stability within romantic bonds.

Japanese author and court lady of the late tenth and early eleventh centuries, best known for the Pillow Book, a collection of observations, lists, and reflections on life at the Heian imperial court. Little is known of her life outside the Pillow Book itself. She served as lady-in-waiting to Empress Consort Teishi and was a contemporary and rival of Murasaki Shikibu.