Meaning: This quote by Gustave Flaubert, the renowned French novelist, provides a vivid and somewhat paradoxical description of the relationship between a person and their work. Flaubert compares his love for his work to the love an ascetic has for a hair shirt, which is a garment made of coarse hair or animal haircloth worn next to the skin as a form of penance or self-mortification. This comparison is rich with meaning and offers insight into the intense and often conflicting emotions that can accompany the pursuit of one's vocation.

Flaubert's use of the word "frenetic" suggests a sense of frantic energy and passion, indicating that his love for his work is not passive or lukewarm, but rather intense and all-consuming. This fervent devotion to his craft is further emphasized by the adjective "perverse," which in this context conveys a sense of deviance or unconventional ardor. Flaubert's choice of words creates a powerful image of a deep and almost obsessive attachment to his work, one that goes beyond mere enjoyment or satisfaction.

The comparison to an ascetic's love for a hair shirt adds a layer of complexity to the quote. Asceticism is a practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, often motivated by religious or spiritual devotion. The hair shirt, in particular, is a symbol of discomfort and sacrifice, worn as a form of penance or purification. By likening his love for his work to the ascetic's love for the hair shirt, Flaubert suggests that his passion for writing is not without its own challenges and hardships. It implies that his work, like the hair shirt, is not always comfortable or easy, but that he embraces it nonetheless.

The comparison also hints at the idea of suffering for one's art. Just as the ascetic willingly endures the discomfort of the hair shirt for spiritual reasons, Flaubert seems to be implying that he willingly embraces the challenges and struggles inherent in his work. This aligns with the romanticized notion of the tortured artist, willing to endure personal anguish in pursuit of their creative vision.

Flaubert's quote reflects the complex and often tumultuous relationship that many individuals have with their work or creative pursuits. It captures the simultaneous joy and pain, the exaltation and frustration that can accompany the pursuit of one's passion. While the quote may seem extreme or even melodramatic to some, it resonates with those who understand the profound emotional investment involved in dedicating oneself to a craft or vocation.

In conclusion, Gustave Flaubert's quote encapsulates the intense and paradoxical nature of his love for his work. Through the comparison to an ascetic's love for a hair shirt, he conveys the fervent and almost masochistic devotion he feels for his craft. The quote invites contemplation on the complexities of creative passion and the willingness to endure hardship in pursuit of one's vocation. It serves as a compelling insight into the emotional landscape of artistic endeavor and the profound attachment that individuals can develop towards their work.