The 128 most classic philosophical essays in the world

Chapter 113 Learning to Love

[Austria] Rilke
For all people, love is an opportunity to mature and let oneself understand one's heart; it is a noble opportunity to create a new person independent of the world, and it is also another extra request that nature puts forward for human beings.

The love of human beings for human beings is probably the most difficult subject we have studied.It is the final thing, the last test, the last experiment, and like all other work the preparatory work.

Beginners in love are not yet capable of loving.They have to learn how to love.Men must bet on themselves, and pour into their lonely and disturbed hearts all the forces that have mustered.They must learn to love.

However, the learning process is always long and isolated.Therefore, love first goes through a considerable period of time.During this time, loneliness is undoubtedly the most important, which means that in order to love someone, one must taste the profound loneliness alone.

Love does not mean giving oneself completely to become one with the second person.Because it is still a question whether there is a second person waiting to become one with oneself before one's own devotion.

For all people, love is an opportunity to mature and let oneself understand one's heart; it is a noble opportunity to create a new person independent of the world, and it is also another extra request that nature puts forward for human beings.

If young people take love as a subject to train themselves, and when they dedicate themselves to the love bestowed by nature, they should not have any resistance!
But neither being open to one's own devotion nor being in tune with the spirit of all is one thing young people should rush into, nor is it their last task.

Heart mark notes
Love is a kind of ability, and being able to love others is a kind of honor.Knowing how to love can allow oneself to understand one's own heart, and allow those who love each other to grow through tempering.Learning to love is a sign of our maturity.

Love is an emotion, not an action.Therefore, if you want to have love completely, you must not only keep it in your heart, but also express it bravely.

Love is to be in a thousand forests of white sails, to accompany the person you love compassionately, and to give him (her) a little comfort and support.

Love is to run through life, look into the distance, and stand in the most resolute posture to look up to the person you love for life.

(End of this chapter)