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Nobody can teach you love. Love you have to find yourself, within your being, by raising your consciousness to higher levels. And when love comes, there is no question of responsibility. You do things because you enjoy doing them for the person you love. You are not obliging the person, you are not even wanting anything in return, not even gratitude. On the contrary, you are grateful that the person has allowed you to do something for him. It was your joy, sheer joy. Love knows nothing of responsibility. It does many things, it is very creative; it shares all that it has, but it is not a responsibility, remember. Responsibility is an ugly word in comparison to love. Love is natural. Responsibility is created by the cunning priests, politicians who want to dominate you in the name of God, in the name of the nation, in the name of family, in the name of religion -- any fiction will do. But they don't talk about love. On the contrary, they are all against love, because love is unable to be controlled by them. A man of love acts out of his own heart, not according to any moral code. A man of love will not join the army because it is his responsibility to fight for his nation. A man of love will say there are no nations, and there is no question of any fight.

Osho#8

FreedomAuthorityLoveControlDutyHappinessResponsibility

About this quote

What does it mean?
Love is internal, creative, and joyful without obligation; responsibility is often a tool created by authorities to control people.
In plain terms
Love comes from within and feels like joy, not duty imposed by others.
What can you take from it?
Act from joy rather than obligation when loving others.

Where it applies

  • relationships
  • leadership
  • social dynamics

Putting it to work

  • love without expectation
  • question imposed duties
  • express care freely

Questions to consider

  • Do you love out of duty or joy?
  • How much control do rules have on you?

Another view

Responsibility can sometimes be necessary for safety and accountability.

More from Osho

  1. I am not a man of etiquette, I don't know manners. I simply call a spade a fucking spade, because that's what it is.

    Permalink to quote #7
  2. Just a few days ago a man came to see me and he said, 'I am a humble man. I am just like the dust on your feet. I have been trying for almost twenty years to a…

    Permalink to quote #9
  3. I have never been a celibate. If people believe so, that is their foolishness. I have always loved women - and perhaps more women than anybody else. You can se…

    Permalink to quote #6

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