Circumstances Quote by Harry Stack Sullivan
“When the satisfaction or the security of another person becomes as significant to one as one's own satisfaction or security, then the state of love exists. Under no other circumstances is a state of love present, regardless of the popular usage of the term.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry, 1953
Love arises when another’s wellbeing matters as much as one’s own, beyond common usage of the term.
In simple terms: Love is equal concern for another.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate mutual care.
Themes
relationships
empathy
interdependence
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
psychological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- marriage
- friendship
- teamwork
- caregiving
Key Concepts
attachment theory
humanistic psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑care with caring for others?
- When does concern become over‑involvement?
A Different Perspective
Love can be confused with dependency or possession.
![“[O]ne of the greatest difficulties encountered in bringing about favorable change is this almost inescapable illusion that there is a perduring, unique, simple existent self, [which is] in some strange fashion, the patient's, or the subject person's, private property.” quote by Harry Stack Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c90/harry-stack-sullivan-27472_adversity_o-ne-of-the-greatest-difficulties-encoun_2365397.jpg)
