--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the most difficult love begins…" description: "\"I think the most difficult love begins with one's self. How you treat yourself is something you bring to your relationships.\" — Javier Bardem" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg" --- # I think the most difficult love begins with one's self… ![“I think the most difficult love begins with one's self. How you treat yourself is something you bring to your relationships.” quote by Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg) > “I think the most difficult love begins with one's self. How you treat yourself is something you bring to your relationships.” [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑love is the foundation for healthy relationships; how you treat yourself sets relational patterns. **In simple terms:** Love starts with self‑respect. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑respect before seeking love. Themes self‑love relationships self‑respect Mood introspective motivational Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - dating - friendships - family dynamics Key Concepts Self‑esteem attachment theory personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What self‑care habits nurture self‑respect? - How does self‑treatment affect your partners? A Different Perspective Self‑love can be challenging without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Difficult Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-love/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Our relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-relationship/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [All self improvement begins with self growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/all-self-improvement-begins-with-self-growth/) Senoraroy > [Wise criticism always begins with self-criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/wise-criticism-always-begins-with-self-criticism/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Revolution begins with the self, in the self… We'd better take the time to fashion revolutionary selves, revolutionary lives, revolutionary relationships. Mouth don't win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-cade-bambara/revolution-begins-with-the-self-in-the-self-we-d-better-take-the-time/) [Toni Cade Bambara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-cade-bambara/) > [Religion, like all things, begins with self, And naught is known, until one knows himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/religion-like-all-things-begins-with-self-and-naught-is-known-until/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [Murder begins where self-defense ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-b-chner/murder-begins-where-self-defense-ends/) [Georg Buchner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-b-chner/) > [The road back from degradation begins with self-awareness - and sometimes, as in 'Phone Booth,' change can begin with a single phone call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/the-road-back-from-degradation-begins-with-self-awareness-and/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [You can't hate yourself happy, You can't criticize yourself thin, You can't shame yourself wealthy. Real change begins with self-love and self care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-ortner/you-can-t-hate-yourself-happy-you-can-t-criticize-yourself-thin-you/) [Jessica Ortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-ortner/) > [Revolution begins with the self, in the self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-cade-bambara/revolution-begins-with-the-self-in-the-self/) [Toni Cade Bambara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-cade-bambara/) > [“Greatness begins with self-belief. You are the beginning, the possibility, not the culmination of a final chapter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-l-lewis/greatness-begins-with-self-belief-you-are-the-beginning-the/) [D.L. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-l-lewis/) > [The art of appreciation begins with self appreciation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-art-of-appreciation-begins-with-self-appreciation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is difficult to love a woman and do anything else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/it-is-difficult-to-love-a-woman-and-do-anything-else/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [There are some words I find impossibly difficult ... 'Love,' 'feeling' and especially 'happiness' are at the head of the list. This is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-diski/there-are-some-words-i-find-impossibly-difficult-love-feeling-and/) [Jenny Diski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-diski/) > [“It is very difficult to love people who are good to us: it is easier to imagine we are loving people we can condescend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-mosley/it-is-very-difficult-to-love-people-who-are-good-to-us-it-is-easier/) [Nicholas Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-mosley/) > [Comedy is very difficult. I love it because when you do it right, it's the best feeling in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-jay-mclaren/comedy-is-very-difficult-i-love-it-because-when-you-do-it-right-it-s/) [Brandon Jay McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-jay-mclaren/) > [“The more difficult it was to love the particular man beside us, the more we believed in Love, abstract and total. We were waiting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-more-difficult-it-was-to-love-the-particular-man-beside-us-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## More by Javier Bardem > [Awards were made in Hollywood, in whatever the time it was created. They're to promote each other's movies. You give me an award, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/awards-were-made-in-hollywood-in-whatever-the-time-it-was-created/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [When you are portraying somebody that has a very specific emotional weight, you feel like you're really starting to abandon your own body and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/when-you-are-portraying-somebody-that-has-a-very-specific-emotional/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I've always said I don't believe in God, I believe in Al Pacino.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-ve-always-said-i-don-t-believe-in-god-i-believe-in-al-pacino/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [ I'm not the kind of actor that gets crazy with \[directors'\] names, what draws me toward a project is the material itself. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-m-not-the-kind-of-actor-that-gets-crazy-with-directors-names-what/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [“I don't believe in God, I only believe in Al Pacino, and that's the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-don-t-believe-in-god-i-only-believe-in-al-pacino-and-that-s-the/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [But don't call me an actor. I'm just a worker. I am an entertainer. Don't say that what I am doing is art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/but-don-t-call-me-an-actor-i-m-just-a-worker-i-am-an-entertainer-don/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [Now, there are so many movies, so many festivals, and so many awards going on, each judged with each other, like your work is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/now-there-are-so-many-movies-so-many-festivals-and-so-many-awards/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I don't like to talk about my personal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-don-t-like-to-talk-about-my-personal-life/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I hate violence. When I hold a gun, I feel death in my hands, but it's fun to pretend in the movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-hate-violence-when-i-hold-a-gun-i-feel-death-in-my-hands-but-it-s/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [The earliest memories I have from my childhood are of my mum getting ready to go on stage. I must have been about five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/the-earliest-memories-i-have-from-my-childhood-are-of-my-mum-getting/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I've always said that playing rugby in Spain is like being a bullfighter in Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-ve-always-said-that-playing-rugby-in-spain-is-like-being-a/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I wanted to become a painter for a while. I think it was because I was lazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-wanted-to-become-a-painter-for-a-while-i-think-it-was-because-i-was/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [I do respect people's faith, but I don't respect their manipulation of that faith in order to create fear and control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-do-respect-people-s-faith-but-i-don-t-respect-their-manipulation-of/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [“I don't belive in God. I believe in...Al Pacino.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-don-t-belive-in-god-i-believe-in-al-pacino/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [Bond is the longest-running franchise ever and there's a reason for that: they are action movies but they are also touched by current events…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/bond-is-the-longest-running-franchise-ever-and-there-s-a-reason-for/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) [Explore all 95 Javier Bardem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) ## More Difficult quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [Consumers can choose organic cotton grown without pesticides, but it uses more water and requires more land than conventional crops. Organic cotton can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-schlossberg/consumers-can-choose-organic-cotton-grown-without-pesticides-but-it/) [Tatiana Schlossberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-schlossberg/) > [It is extremely difficult to do anything constructive, let alone deep, on daily commercial television, especially on a talk show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/it-is-extremely-difficult-to-do-anything-constructive-let-alone-deep/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [It's only a little difficult to say no. You've got to believe that the work you're doing is ultimately more useful to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/it-s-only-a-little-difficult-to-say-no-you-ve-got-to-believe-that-the/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/) [Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/) > [My friends, this body - perhaps more than any other gathering in human history - now faces that difficult task.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/my-friends-this-body-perhaps-more-than-any-other-gathering-in-human/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/) [Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/) > [Politics only makes the difficult challenge of marriage even harder, with the demands of the job and the public spotlight it casts on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/politics-only-makes-the-difficult-challenge-of-marriage-even-harder/) [Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [Someone else who liked what I did might turn around and say, "She's reworking and rethinking everything. She could just be making blankets now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-emin/someone-else-who-liked-what-i-did-might-turn-around-and-say-she-s/) [Tracey Emin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-emin/) Browse all 13,132 Difficult quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think the most difficult love begins with one's self. How you treat yourself is something you bring to your relationships.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Javier Bardem" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-with-one-s-self-how-you-treat/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Difficult" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-with-one-s-self-how-you-treat/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0df/javier-bardem-7004_difficult_i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-w_2663540.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think the most difficult love begins with one's self. How you treat yourself is something you bring to…” — Javier Bardem", "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": "Javier Bardem", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think the most difficult love...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-with-one-s-self-how-you-treat/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/i-think-the-most-difficult-love-begins-with-one-s-self-how-you-treat/#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 } } ] } ```