“In spite of the deep-seated craving for love, almost everything else is considered to be more important than love: success, prestige, money, power-almost all our energy is used for the learning of how to achieve these aims, and almost none to learn the art of loving. Could it be that only those things are considered worthy of being learned with which one can earn money or prestige, and that love, which "only" profits the soul, but is profitless in the modern sense, is a luxury we have no right to spend energy on?”
Analysis of Quote by Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm's quote highlights the societal prioritization of material success over the fundamental importance of love. He suggests that while individuals are willing to invest time and effort into pursuits such as success, money, and power, they neglect the cultivation of love. Fromm questions why society places more value on endeavors that yield tangible rewards, such as financial gain or social status, while deeming love as a mere luxury for the soul. This raises the profound question of whether love should be considered an essential aspect of human existence rather than an indulgence that can be overlooked in pursuit of material interests.
Modern Relevance of Erich Fromm's Quote
Erich Fromm's quote reflects on society's tendency to prioritize material success and external validation over cultivating love and emotional connections. In today's increasingly fast-paced and competitive world, the pursuit of success often takes precedence over nurturing relationships and focusing on personal fulfillment. This mentality can lead to a lack of emphasis on the importance of love and emotional well-being in our lives.
Example of Usage
In his book The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm reflects on society's prioritization of success, prestige, and power over the development of love. He argues that love has been neglected in favor of pursuits that bring material gain, questioning why society places less value on the learning of love.
Reflection Questions
This quote by Erich Fromm raises important questions about the priorities in our society and the value placed on love. Consider the following reflection questions:
- Do you agree that love is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity in modern society? Why or why not?
- How do you prioritize love in your own life compared to other goals such as success, money, or power?
- Reflect on a time when you chose to prioritize love over other external achievements. What impact did this decision have on your overall fulfillment and well-being?
- In what ways can we shift societal values to place a greater emphasis on love and emotional fulfillment rather than solely on material success?
Similar quotes
“we can harness the energy of the winds, the seas, the sun . But the day man learns to harness the energy of love, that will be as important as the discovery of fire.”
“I learned perhaps more than any university could ever teach me. I learned that the world revolves around money. There are values and virtues and morals; there are relationships and trust and love---and all of that is important. Money, however, is more important and it is dripping all the time, like precious water. Some drink deep; others thirst. Without money, you shrivel and die. The absence of money is drought in which nothing can grow. Nobody knows the value of water until they've lived in a dry, dry place---like Behala. So many people, waiting for the rain.”
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“One must learn to love.— This is what happens to us in music: first one has to learn to hear a figure and melody at all, to detect and distinguish it, to isolate it and delimit it as a separate life; then it requires some exertion and good will to tolerate it in spite of its strangeness, to be patient with its appearance and expression, and kindhearted about its oddity:—finally there comes a moment when we are used to it, when we wait for it, when we sense that we should miss it if it were missing: and now it continues to compel and enchant us relentlessly until we have become its humble and enraptured lovers who desire nothing better from the world than it and only it.— But that is what happens to us not only in music: that is how we have learned to love all things that we now love. In the end we are always rewarded for our good will, our patience, fairmindedness, and gentleness with what is strange; gradually, it sheds its veil and turns out to be a new and indescribable beauty:—that is its thanks for our hospitality. Even those who love themselves will have learned it in this way: for there is no other way. Love, too, has to be learned.”
“Making money and creating wealth are learned skills for most people. To have money and wealth requires either investing the time, energy and money to learn those skills, or surrounding yourself with people who have them.”