Capable Quote by William P. Young
“You do understand," she continued, "that unless I had an object to love -- or, more accurately, a someone to love -- if I did not have such a relationship within myself, then I would not be capable of love at all? You would have a god who could not love. Or maybe worse, you would have a god who, when he chose, could love only as a limitation of his nature.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Shack by William P. Young, 2007
Love requires an internal relationship; without self‑love, a deity cannot truly love others, becoming limited by its own nature.
In simple terms: Self‑love is needed for true love.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑acceptance before seeking love.
Themes
self‑love
divinity
limitations
relationships
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- spiritual counseling
- relationship building
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑love shape your capacity to love others?
- Can a deity be fully loving without self‑love?
A Different Perspective
If one lacks self‑love, external love may feel conditional or incomplete.
![“A love which is limited by faith is an untrue love. … [L]ove bound by faith … hides in itself the hatred that belongs to faith; it is only benevolent so long as faith is not injured. … [I]n order to retain the semblance of love, it falls into the most diabolical sophisms, as we see in Augustine's…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d6/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_faith_a-love-which-is-limited-by-faith-is-an-u_3096609.jpg)
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
