The Meaning of Love

The Psychoanalyst and Social Psychologist, Erich Fromm, published his landmark book, 'The Art of Loving', in 1956. It is a masterpiece of meaningful exploration of what constitutes love and how we experience it.

Love is grounded in how we give of ourselves to another, as an expression of joy, and a manifestation of our aliveness. Fromm expresses this reality beautifully.

Rarely do I post a quote without any interpretation, but this speaks for itself. All I will say, as a point of clarification, is that Fromm uses 'he/him' as a generic term common at the time of writing to represent a person of unknown gender.

“What does one person give to another? He gives of himself, of the most precious he has, he gives of his life. This does not necessarily mean that he sacrifices his life for the other—but that he gives him of that which is alive in him; he gives him of his joy, of his interest, of his understanding, of his knowledge, of his humour, of his sadness—of all expressions and manifestations of that which is alive in him. In thus giving of his life, he enriches the other person, he enhances the other's sense of aliveness by enhancing his own sense of aliveness. He does not give in order to receive; giving is in itself exquisite joy. But in giving he cannot help bringing something to life in the other person, and this which is brought to life reflects back to him.”

Isn't that wonderful?