這句話出自（英國出生的）美國詩人Auden的詩 The More Loving One.全詩如下：
The More Loving One
by W.H.Auden
Looking up at the stars,I know quite well
That,for all they care,I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.
How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.
Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot,now I see them,say
I missed one terribly all day.
Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.