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Is it possible for the rose to say, 'I will give my fragrance to the good people who smell me, but I will withhold it from the bad?' Or is it possible for the lamp to say, 'I will give my light to the good people in this room, but I will withhold it from the evil people'? Or can a tree say, 'I'll give my shade to the good people who rest under me, but I will withhold it from the bad'? These are images of what love is about.

Anthony de Mello#14

EthicsLoveRelationships

About this quote

What does it mean?
Love is not selective; it cannot withgive fragrance
What can you take from it?
Practice generosity without judging worthiness.

Where it applies

  • relationships
  • community service

Putting it to work

  • offer help freely
  • avoid conditional affection

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance unconditional love with self‑care?
  • When is it appropriate to set limits?

Another view

Boundaries are sometimes necessary for healthy relationships.

More from Anthony de Mello

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  2. Is there life before death? -that is the question!

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  3. If you just swallow everything I am telling you, I am brainwashing you.

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