Quote of the day by Andrew Scott: 'Love is awful. It’s painful. It makes you doubt yourself, distance yourself from the other people in your life' - What the actor’s famous Fleabag speech teaches about hope, vulnerability and mature love

Few television scenes have stayed with audiences quite like the emotional church monologue from Fleabag Season 2. Years after the finale aired, fans still revisit the scene online, share clips across social media, and discuss the deeper meaning behind its brutally honest words about romance. Delivered by Andrew Scott as The Priest and written by the show’s creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the speech has now become one of the most iconic modern reflections on love, heartbreak and hope.

The quote goes:

“Love is awful. It’s awful. It’s painful. It’s frightening. It makes you doubt yourself, judge yourself, distance yourself from the other people in your life. It makes you selfish. It makes you creepy, makes you obsessed with your hair, makes you cruel, makes you say and do things you never thought you would do. It’s all any of us want, and it’s hell when we get there. So no wonder it’s something we don’t want to do on our own. I was taught if we’re born with love then life is about choosing the right place to put it. People talk about that a lot, feeling right, when it feels right it’s easy. But I’m not sure that’s true. It takes strength to know what’s right. And love isn’t something that weak people do. Being a romantic takes a hell of a lot of hope. I think what they mean is, when you find somebody that you love, it feels like hope.”


The speech appears in the final episode of Fleabag Season 2, during a wedding scene where The Priest gives a heartfelt sermon about love and human connection. At that point in the story, both Fleabag and The Priest are struggling with emotions they know could change their lives forever. That emotional tension is what makes the monologue feel so personal and unforgettable.

What does this famous Fleabag dialogue means?

What makes the speech stand out is its honesty. Unlike fairy-tale romances that describe love as magical and effortless, this monologue openly admits that love can be messy, uncomfortable and even frightening. It talks about the side of relationships people usually hide, insecurity, jealousy, obsession, fear and emotional confusion.

The quote suggests that love has the power to completely change how people think and behave. It can make someone insecure about their appearance, distant from friends and family, or emotionally vulnerable in ways they never expected. Instead of pretending these feelings are abnormal, the speech accepts them as part of the human experience.

At the same time, the monologue does not dismiss love as something negative. In fact, its biggest message is the opposite. According to the speech, loving someone deeply is not weakness, it is courage. The Priest explains that being romantic and hopeful about love requires emotional strength because people continue choosing love despite knowing it can hurt them.

Why the monologue feels painfully relatable

That idea is what resonates so strongly with audiences around the world. Many viewers see themselves in the speech because it describes emotions they have personally experienced but rarely say aloud. Almost everyone who has been in love has faced moments of self-doubt, fear or emotional chaos. By putting those feelings into words, the monologue makes people feel understood.

The quote also challenges a popular belief about relationships, the idea that “real love” should always feel easy. Instead, it argues that meaningful love often requires difficult choices, patience and vulnerability. Sometimes, knowing what is right for us emotionally takes real maturity.

Despite describing love as painful and frightening, the speech ultimately ends on a hopeful note. According to The Priest, the reason people continue chasing love is because it gives life meaning and possibility. Finding someone who truly understands you can feel like discovering hope itself.

About Andrew Scott's journey

Much of the emotional power behind the scene also comes from Andrew Scott’s performance. The Irish actor, who became globally famous for playing Moriarty in Sherlock, received widespread praise for his role as The Priest. His performance in Fleabag earned award nominations and introduced a completely different side of his acting range to audiences.

Meanwhile, Fleabag itself became one of the most critically acclaimed shows of recent years. The series won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA honours for its writing, acting and storytelling. Across award ceremonies, the show received more than 100 nominations and over 30 major wins.

Even years later, this “Love Speech” continues to trend online because it captures something universal, the fear of opening your heart to another person, and the hope that makes people do it anyway.