--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We often say 'love' when we really mean…" description: "\"We often say 'love' when we really mean, and are acting out, an addiction-a sterile, ingrown dependency relationship, with another person serving as th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/stanton-peele-39502_acting_we-often-say-love-when-we-really-mean-an_1284892.jpg" --- # We often say 'love' when we really mean, and are acting… ![“We often say 'love' when we really mean, and are acting out, an addiction-a sterile, ingrown dependency relationship, with another person serving as the object of our need for security.” quote by Stanton Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/stanton-peele-39502_acting_we-often-say-love-when-we-really-mean-an_1284892.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/stanton-peele-39502_acting_we-often-say-love-when-we-really-mean-an_1284892.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdd/stanton-peele-39502_acting_we-often-say-love-when-we-really-mean-an_1284892.jpg) > “We often say 'love' when we really mean, and are acting out, an addiction-a sterile, ingrown dependency relationship, with another person serving as the object of our need for security.” [Stanton Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanton-peele/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People label deep dependency as love, but it’s often an addiction to security, creating unhealthy reliance on another. **In simple terms:** Calling dependency love masks an addiction to security. Key Takeaway Identify and address dependency masquerading as love. Themes relationships addiction security Mood insightful concerned Type psychological relationship When to use this quote - marriages - friendships - family ties - therapeutic settings Key Concepts dependency emotional needs codependency Questions to Reflect On - How can you tell love from dependency? - What steps help build secure independence? A Different Perspective Not all intense attachment is healthy love. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-addiction-4164164/) [Acting out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-out/) [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Addiction Sterile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction-sterile-4164165/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Dependency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependency/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Really mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-mean/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Say Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-love/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Serving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serving/) ## Related quotes > [That's why there's so much bad acting out there, because you could see actors watching themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/that-s-why-there-s-so-much-bad-acting-out-there-because-you-could-see/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [I reenact everything. 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