Flauber most likely lived his life more along the lines of self reliance and being your own person instead of sharing that with others. By staying independent Flaubert syed away from love seperating himself from companions so that he wouldnt break his morals and fall in love. Louise Colet in her chapter remains very negative when talking about Flauber and although she admited to loving him, Flaubert imbeded an impression on her that hurts. At one point he leaves Colet for three months and while gone had affairs. An act like this builds a barrior onto them helping him keep distance from her so that he wont love. He liked women but never wanted to marry them. In the book it hasnt been said but i feel that Flaubert believes your born alone and you die alone and that he rather remain alone being the individual writer that completes and comforts him. He tought friendship, wit, courage ex.. Flaubert probubly wanted to leave an impression spreading through his writing and didnt want love to interfear with his greater picture. The courage, wit, comes in because he always sided with minorities, poets, protestors, people standing up for what they believe in. Since he admired that and believe in going after what you really belive is true makes him an independent in some cases because alot of people are sucked into a common belief. His emphasis of that message probulby made it hard for him at times to love. He said to Colet that the secret of happiness is already being happy. Maybe since he was happy in his current state he didnt want to change because of a possible down fall of happiness. Love could have brought him missurey and because he saw that from a out side view he understood the possiblity and didnt want to risk what he had going for him.