---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To love somebody is not just a strong…"
description: "\"“To love somebody is not just a strong feeling—it is a decision, it is a judgment, it is a promise. If love were only a feeling, there would be no basi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/erich-fromm-367_love_to-love-somebody-is-not-just-a-strong-fe_1560874.jpg"
---

#  To love somebody is not just a strong feeling—it is a…

![“To love somebody is not just a strong feeling—it is a decision, it is a judgment, it is a promise. If love were only a feeling, there would be no basis for the promise to love each other forever. A feeling comes and it may go. How can I judge that it will stay forever, when my act does not involve…” quote by Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/erich-fromm-367_love_to-love-somebody-is-not-just-a-strong-fe_1560874.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/erich-fromm-367_love_to-love-somebody-is-not-just-a-strong-fe_1560874.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/erich-fromm-367_love_to-love-somebody-is-not-just-a-strong-fe_1560874.jpg)

> ““To love somebody is not just a strong feeling—it is a decision, it is a judgment, it is a promise. If love were only a feeling, there would be no basis for the promise to love each other forever. A feeling comes and it may go. How can I judge that it will stay forever, when my act does not involve judgment and decision?””

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

## 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 an active choice involving commitment and judgment, not merely a fleeting emotion.

**In simple terms:** Love is a decision, not just a feeling.

Key Takeaway

Choose love through commitment.

Themes

love commitment choice relationships

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- marriage
- long‑term partnership
- friendship
- parenting

Key Concepts

Existentialism humanistic psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you turn affection into a promise?
- What decisions sustain love?

A Different Perspective

Feelings alone cannot guarantee lasting bonds.

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[Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/)

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