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Infantile love follows the principle: "I love because I am loved." Mature love follows the principle: "I am loved because I love." Immature love says: "I love you because I need you." Mature love says: "I need you because I love you.
Erich Fromm
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Mature love is based on selflessness and giving, while immature love is dependent and self-serving.

In this quote, Erich Fromm emphasizes the distinction between immature and mature love. Immature love is characterized by a need for validation and affection, focusing on personal gain; whereas mature love is about giving and mutual respect, where individuals love not out of need but out of genuine care and understanding for one another.

Themes

LoveMaturityRelationshipsSelflessnessNeed

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a wedding speech to emphasize the importance of mature love in a partnership.

More from Erich Fromm

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In the nineteenth century the problem was that God is dead. In the twentieth century the problem is that man is dead.
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