It is actually a continuation of another book, “ The fear of freedom“.

“ The art of loving” is not an individual book within the enormous intellectual legacy that Erich Fromm left us. This is what the social psychologist, psychoanalyst and German philosopher, Erich Fromm, taught us in his book “ The art of loving“, and here are a collection of his quotes that summarize this unforgettable book that is worth reading again and again. If we just let ourselves go, acting passively and waiting for the other person to do and say everything, and also to reciprocate, then we will just end up completely frustrated. To love intelligently and fully is the result of a deliberate act, an intent that requires and, at the same time, demands excellence. But we often find that what we receive in turn is devoid of energy, creativity, and not reciprocated. When this happens there is no choice but to let ourselves be carried along, hoping that the love will be reciprocated, nurtured and confirmed by the other person. For many people a crush leads to infatuation, where one completely surrenders to the other person. The worst thing is that we often see love as something passive. The teacher, poet and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hahn, once said that loving, without knowing how to love, hurts the person we love. Few authors have taught us as much as Fromm has about the art of loving. It requires courage, action, commitment and a high sense of humility and responsibility.

Because, when it comes down to it, we have to admit that loving is not always easy. The legacy of Erich Fromm’s phrases about love continues to inspire us today.

The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm