"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu
This ancient quote from Lao Tzu, a renowned philosopher, encapsulates the dual nature of love. When we are loved, we gain strength from the knowledge that we matter to someone else. On the other hand, to love someone deeply, to put their needs ahead of our own, requires a courage that can only be forged in the fires of true affection.
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert A. Heinlein
Heinlein, a prolific science fiction writer, masterfully touches upon the essence of selflessness in love with this quote. True love is not merely about personal fulfilment but about deriving joy from the happiness of the one we love. This is the altruistic nature of love that makes it so powerful and transformative.
"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." - Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo, the famed French author, brings to light the healing power of love. Being loved, not because of what we can offer but for who we are, warts and all, is the greatest affirmation we can receive. This unconditional love can be a balm for our insecurities and self-doubt.
"There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." - Friedrich Nietzsche
With this quote, Nietzsche, a philosopher known for his thought-provoking ideas, acknowledges the irrationality often associated with love. However, he also suggests that this madness has its own sense, its own logic. Love, in its purest form, can make us defy convention, break boundaries, and act in ways we never thought possible.
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds." - Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks, a contemporary author famous for his heart-wrenching novels, beautifully portrays the multi-dimensionality of love. Love is not just a comforter, it's also a motivator. It incites passion, sparks ambition, and yet, amid all this, it brings a sense of tranquillity, a feeling of contentment that is almost paradoxical.
Conclusion
Love is a vast, deep ocean, and these quotes are but a few precious drops. They offer a glimpse into the strength, selflessness, healing, madness, and motivation that love can evoke. May they inspire us to love and be loved with all our hearts.