Love is not primarily a relationship to a specific person; it is an attitude, an orientation of character which determines the relatedness of a person to the world as a whole, not towards one 'object' of love.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Love is a character orientation toward the world generally, not just a bond with one specific person.
- In plain terms
- Love is how you relate to the whole world, not just one person.
- What can you take from it?
- View love as a general attitude rather than a specific attachment.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is love a feeling or a character trait?
- How does your love extend beyond one person?
Another view
Specific romantic bonds are often what people mean by love.
More from Erich Fromm
Integrity simply means a willingness not to violate one's identity.
Permalink to quote #80 Love is union with somebody, or something, outside oneself, under the condition of retaining the separateness and integrity of one's own self.
Permalink to quote #82 In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two.
Permalink to quote #79
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