Meaning: The quote by Olive Schreiner delves into the complex and contradictory nature of love. Through the juxtaposition of different perspectives on love, Schreiner highlights the multifaceted and enigmatic essence of this powerful emotion.

The first part of the quote, "Perhaps the old monks were right when they tried to root love out," alludes to the ascetic tradition within certain religious and philosophical circles that viewed love as a distraction or hindrance on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Monks and ascetics from various traditions have historically renounced worldly attachments, including romantic love, in their pursuit of higher spiritual truths. This perspective suggests that love, with its potential to engender attachment and desire, can be seen as a barrier to achieving spiritual purity or enlightenment. The use of the word "root" conveys the idea of eradicating love at its very source, emphasizing the depth of the monks' aversion to this emotion.

The quote then shifts to the contrasting viewpoint, "perhaps the poets are right when they try to water it." Here, Schreiner acknowledges the counterbalancing perspective of poets who extol the virtues of love and seek to nurture and celebrate its existence. Poets, as the quote suggests, are inclined to "water" love, suggesting that they see it as a life-giving force that enriches the human experience. The act of watering implies nourishment and growth, indicating that poets view love as something to be cultivated and cherished rather than eradicated. This contrast highlights the divergent attitudes towards love and underscores its enigmatic nature.

The subsequent assertion, "It is a blood-red flower, with the color of sin," further reinforces the complexity of love. The imagery of a "blood-red flower" evokes a sense of passion, intensity, and vitality, while the association with the "color of sin" introduces a moral or religious dimension. This juxtaposition encapsulates the dual nature of love, which can be both alluring and dangerous, capable of inspiring both ecstasy and turmoil. The use of the word "sin" suggests a transgressive quality, hinting at the potential for love to lead individuals astray or incite moral conflict.

Despite the provocative imagery and implications of sin, the quote concludes with a profound observation: "but there is always the scent of a god about it." This enigmatic statement encapsulates the paradoxical essence of love. The "scent of a god" suggests a divine, transcendent quality that elevates love beyond mere earthly or carnal desires. It implies that love possesses an ineffable, divine essence that transcends its earthly manifestations, hinting at its potential to inspire awe, reverence, and spiritual transformation.

In summary, Olive Schreiner's quote masterfully encapsulates the multidimensional nature of love, presenting it as a paradoxical force that embodies both earthly passion and divine transcendence. The conflicting viewpoints of the old monks and the poets, coupled with the evocative imagery and the enigmatic reference to the "scent of a god," collectively underscore the profound and enigmatic nature of love as a complex and multifaceted emotion.