“Often men who have been emotionally neglected and abused as children by dominating mothers bond with assertive women, only to have their… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
Most of us find it difficult to accept a definition of love that says we are never loved in a context where… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
Of all the definitions of love that abound in our universe, a special favorite of mine is... “the will to extend one's… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
The practice of love is the most powerful antidote to the politics of domination. — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“All relationships have ups and downs. Romantic fantasy often nurtures the belief that difficulties and down times are an indication of a… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
Knowing love or the hope of knowing love is the anchor that keeps us from falling into that sea of despair. — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
In an ideal world we would all learn in childhood to love ourselves. We would grow, being secure in our worth and… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
My students tell me, we don't want to love! We're tired of being loving! And I say to them, if you're tired… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
A major part of love is commitment. If we are committed to someone, if I'm committed to loving you, then it's not… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
“Most men and women born in the fifties or earlier were socialized to believe that marriages and/or committed romantic bonds of any… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
I don't think you can hate anything that you know intimately. There is no fine line separating love from hate because there's… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
We fear that evaluating our needs and then carefully choosing partners will reveal that there is no one for us to love.… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“But many of us seek community solely to escape the fear of being alone. Knowing how to be solitary is central to… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
In patriarchal culture men are especially inclined to see love as something they should receive without expending effort. More often than not… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“The widespread assumption that ethical behavior takes the fun out of life is false. In actuality, living ethically ensures that relationships in… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“Only a revolution of values...will end male violence, and that revolution will necessarily be based on a love ethic. To create loving… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
Our hearts connect with lots of folks in a lifetime but most of us will go to our graves with no experience… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
When I write provocative social and cultural criticism that causes readers to stretch their minds, to think beyond set paradigms, I think… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
When we choose to love, we choose to move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
Do not expect to receive the love from someone else you do not give yourself. — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect and trust. — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
Whether we learn how to love ourselves and others will depend on the presence of a loving environment. Self-love cannot flourish in… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“Most folks believe we are hardwired biologically to long for sex but they do not believe we are hardwired to long for love. Almost… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously. — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
The power of patriarchy has been to make maleness feared and to make men feel that it is better to be feared that to… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“I feel enormously blessed to be a successful black woman writer in this culture, but I have found my small fame, such as it… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
In this culture, the phrase 'black woman' is not synonymous with 'tender,' or 'gentle.' It's as if those words couldn't possibly speak to the… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
It's interesting to look at all the aspects where everyday Americans, many of whom are not college educated, are thinking deeply now about our… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
The true teacher is within us. A good teacher is someone who can help you to go back and touch the true teacher within,… — Bell Hooks Copy Share Image
“Advancing the notion that there can be many "feminisms" has served the conservative and liberal political interests of women seeking status and privileged class… — bell hooks Copy Share Image
