Attractive Quote by Thomas Merton
“If we wait for some people to become agreeable or attractive before we begin to love them, we will never begin. If we are content to give them a cold impersonal 'charity' that is merely a matter of obligation, we will not trouble to understand them or to sympathize with them at all. And in that case we will not really love them, because love implies an efficacious will not only to do good to others exteriorly but also to find some good in them to which we can respond."”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Love and Charity, 1970
Love requires seeing beyond obligations, seeking genuine connection and goodness in others rather than impersonal charity.
In simple terms: True love needs personal effort.
Key Takeaway
Seek real connection.
Themes
love
empathy
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- friendships
- romantic relationships
- community service
- volunteering
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
interpersonal relations
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to love someone truly?
- How can you move from obligation to genuine care?
A Different Perspective
Love can be demanding and may lead to disappointment.
