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About this quote

What does it mean?
Love requires prior investment; we see worth in others only after we have already loved them.
In plain terms
You must love someone before you think they are worthy of love.
What can you take from it?
Love creates worth, it does not find it.

Where it applies

  • dating
  • friendship
  • marriage

Putting it to work

  • Invest in relationships early
  • Choose to love first

Questions to consider

  • Do we love because something is worthy or does it become worthy because we love it?

Another view

It ignores situations where love is clearly misplaced.

More from William Wordsworth

  1. A reasoning, self-sufficing thing, An intellectual All-in-all!

    Permalink to quote #105
  2. The sweetest thing that ever grew Beside a human door!

    Permalink to quote #107
  3. A fingering slave, One that would peep and botanize Upon his mother's grave.

    Permalink to quote #104

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