It is this Good which we are commanded to love with our…
““It is this Good which we are commanded to love with our whole heart, with our whole mind, and with all our strength. It is toward this Good that we should be led by those who love us, and toward this Good we should lead those whom we love. In this way, we fulfill the commandments on which depend the whole Law and the Prophets: 'Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God with thy whole heart, and thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind'; and 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' For, in order that a man might learn how to love himself, a standard was set to regulate all his actions on which his happiness depends. For, to love one's own self is nothing but to wish to be happy, and the standard is union with God. When, therefore, a person who knows how to love himself is bidden to love his neighbor as himself, is he not, in effect, commanded to persuade others, as far as he can, to love God?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage links love of God, love of neighbor, and self‑love as a unified moral framework, urging believers to guide others toward divine love.
In simple terms: Loving God, others, and oneself are interconnected duties.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate love for God and extend it to others.
Themes
faith
ethics
self‑love
community
guidance
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
spiritual
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- community service
- teaching
- counseling
Key Concepts
Christian theology
agape
moral law
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model divine love without coercion?
- What practices help align self‑love with love for others?
A Different Perspective
The expectation to persuade others may conflict with individual freedom of belief.