Love and self-denial for the object loved go hand-in-hand…
““Love and self-denial for the object loved go hand-in-hand. If I profess to love a certain person, and yet will neither give my silver nor my gold to relieve his wants, nor in any way deny myself comfort or ease for his sake, such love is contemptible; it wears the name, but lacks the reality of love: true love must be measured by the degree to which the person loving will be willing to subject himself to crosses and losses, to suffering and self-denials. After all, the value of a thing in the market is what a man will give for it, and you must estimate the value of a man’s love by that which he is willing to give up for it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love is genuine only when it involves personal sacrifice and willingness to endure hardship for the beloved, not merely words or superficial gestures.
In simple terms: Real love requires sacrifice.
Key Takeaway
Measure love by what you give up.
Themes
love
self‑sacrifice
authenticity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- relationships
- marriage
- friendship
- charitable acts
Key Concepts
ethical commitment
self‑denial
value assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What are you willing to sacrifice for love?
- How do you know when love is genuine?
A Different Perspective
Love expressed only in words can be empty.