The Four Loves

In its most simple form, authentic love is the ability to will the good of the other.  The basic truths about authentic or real love are;

  • Love is primarily a choice, not just a feeling.
  • Emotional response is a good part of love, but like all emotions it should be controlled and guided by reason, for example, you teach your children self-control.
  • Learning to love means learning to become a total gift of yourself to others.
  • Love is permanent – relationships of love are lasting and stable. You can model this in your marriage and in your constant love for your children.
  • Love is generous toward life.  Thus, in all relationships love is to be nurturing and generous.  Within marriage this means that love is meant to be fruitful, generous and life-giving.
  • The Greek language reflects the complex nature of love much better than does English.  The Greeks had multiple words for love.  Authentic human love includes all of these dimensions.

 

1 Comment

  1. Teaching Manners - Teaching the Way of Love on November 4, 2021 at 8:47 am

    […] good manners is part of social maturity. It is the we express the kind of love the Greeks called storgè – basic respect for human dignity. Since human dignity is so important, every culture has created a […]

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