--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real love is not based on attachment, but…" description: "\"Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg" --- # Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In… ![“Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings continue to suffer.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg) > “Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings continue to suffer.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True love is rooted in selfless compassion, persisting as long as suffering exists. **In simple terms:** Love is altruistic compassion. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion for all beings. Themes compassion altruism spirituality Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - volunteering - counseling - mindfulness practice - conflict mediation Key Concepts interdependence emptiness Questions to Reflect On - How can you sustain compassion without burnout? - What practices deepen altruistic love? A Different Perspective Compassion can be draining without self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) [Attachment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attachment/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Real love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-love/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [God loves every sinner, but we model true compassion when we remain 'pro-traditional marriage' and conscientiously opposed to all deviations from it. This follows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-johnson/god-loves-every-sinner-but-we-model-true-compassion-when-we-remain/) [Mike Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-johnson/) > [Giving up attachment to the world does not mean that you set yourself apart from it. Generating a desire for others to be happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/giving-up-attachment-to-the-world-does-not-mean-that-you-set-yourself/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Peace must first be developed within an individual. And I believe that love, compassion, and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace. Once these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/peace-must-first-be-developed-within-an-individual-and-i-believe-that/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Some people automatically associate morality and altruism with a religious vision of the world. But I believe it is a mistake to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/some-people-automatically-associate-morality-and-altruism-with-a/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [True compassion is not just an emotional response, but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, a truly compassionate attitude toward others does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/true-compassion-is-not-just-an-emotional-response-but-a-firm-2/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The root of happiness is altruism - the wish to be of service to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-root-of-happiness-is-altruism-the-wish-to-be-of-service-to-others/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The key to genuine happiness is in our hands. To think this way is to discover the essential values of kindness, brotherly love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-key-to-genuine-happiness-is-in-our-hands-to-think-this-way-is-to/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Forgiveness is the most effective way of dealing with arguments; altruism and forgiveness bring humanity together so that no conflict, however serious, will go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/forgiveness-is-the-most-effective-way-of-dealing-with-arguments/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Infinite altruism is the basis of peace and happiness. If you want altruism, you must control hate and you must practice patience. The main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/infinite-altruism-is-the-basis-of-peace-and-happiness-if-you-want/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The practice of altruism is the authentic way to live as a human being, and it is not just for religious people. As human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-practice-of-altruism-is-the-authentic-way-to-live-as-a-human/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The more adept we become at cultivating an altruistic attitude, the happier we will feel and the more comfortable will be the atmosphere around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-more-adept-we-become-at-cultivating-an-altruistic-attitude-the/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [All religion teaches the virtues of love, altruism and patience, while showing us how to discipline and transform ourselves to achieve inner peace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/all-religion-teaches-the-virtues-of-love-altruism-and-patience-while/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Compassion, along with love, is the face of altruism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/compassion-along-with-love-is-the-face-of-altruism/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [A wider of more altruistic attitude is very relevant in today's world. If we look at the situation from various angles, such as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/a-wider-of-more-altruistic-attitude-is-very-relevant-in-today-s-world/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [True happiness comes from having a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved by cultivating altruism, love and compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/true-happiness-comes-from-having-a-sense-of-inner-peace-and/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More by Dalai Lama > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Altruism quotes > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“...True classical dropouts in society are those who avoid difficult challenges and cling to the first opportunity that comes their way. They never test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/true-classical-dropouts-in-society-are-those-who-avoid-difficult/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Take a stand that reflects the widest horizons of your soul if you don’t want to be a slave to external powers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/take-a-stand-that-reflects-the-widest-horizons-of-your-soul-if-you/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [One of the great issues in biology is the origin of altruism - of why you would do something for someone else that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/one-of-the-great-issues-in-biology-is-the-origin-of-altruism-of-why/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/how-selfish-soever-man-may-be-supposed-there-are-evidently-some/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [Restoration ecology is experimental science, a science of love and altruism. In its attempts to reverse the processes of ecosystem degradation it runs exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-mills/restoration-ecology-is-experimental-science-a-science-of-love-and/) [Stephanie Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-mills/) > [“...of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/of-all-the-nonsense-that-twists-the-world-the-concept-of-altruism-is/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“Only a fool would find happiness from an achievement that is detrimental to those he loves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/only-a-fool-would-find-happiness-from-an-achievement-that-is/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordell-hull/never-insult-an-alligator-until-after-you-have-crossed-the-river/) [Cordell Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordell-hull/) > [“…the purpose of life is to nurture joy, which involves those aspects of humanity that enrich the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-nurture-joy-which-involves-those-aspects-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Whatever they say about it, but being altruistic is not so simple for everyone. Not to look and sound like despotism, altruism must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-biyuts/whatever-they-say-about-it-but-being-altruistic-is-not-so-simple-for/) [Lara Biyuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-biyuts/) > [Effective altruism is the form of altruism in which we bring our rational capacities to bear in order to do the most good that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/effective-altruism-is-the-form-of-altruism-in-which-we-bring-our/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Societies and people that come close to being happy are those that do well in narrowing the disparity between their desires and their needs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/societies-and-people-that-come-close-to-being-happy-are-those-that-do/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Most of the truly kind people of this world show some measure of discomfort when offered kindness. Their gratitude stems not only from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/most-of-the-truly-kind-people-of-this-world-show-some-measure-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) [Browse all 419 Altruism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane response to suffering as long as beings continue to suffer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but-on-altruism-in-this-case/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Altruism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but-on-altruism-in-this-case/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/dalai-lama-89_altruism_real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but_1566186.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Real love is not based on attachment, but on altruism. In this case, your compassion will remain as a humane…” — Dalai Lama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dalai Lama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Real love is not based on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but-on-altruism-in-this-case/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-love-is-not-based-on-attachment-but-on-altruism-in-this-case/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```