Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder vs. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
“Out of sight, out of mind.”
Why They Conflict
One promises that distance deepens affection. The other reports that distance deletes it.
When the First May Be Useful
The separation is short, the relationship is established, and optimism is required.
When the Second May Be Useful
The separation is long, the relationship is recent, and a realistic forecast is preferred.
Official Ruling
Official ruling: Affection in absence behaves like a houseplant: brief neglect builds character; extended neglect builds a vacancy.