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The Greeks had four separate words for this one emotion, each meaning something different.
Agape is the word for unconditional love and commitment, and is the highest form of selfless love. It was first coined in the New Testament to describe God’s love, and is the kind of love that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians. It believes all things, endures all things, hopes all things, and judges nothing. It is in actuality, the most rare form of love.
Philos refers to esteem and affection reflected in the loving concern that friends have for one another. This is the love we feel for the people that come into our lives and touch us in some way. It is respectful love, and should be a part of all relationships, regardless of whether they are friends, family, or that special someone.
Eros is the word used for sensual, romantic, and physical love. It is often considered to be self-centered love, or obsessive love and is the realm of physical desires and cravings.
Stergos is to feel deep affection, especially the affection between parents and children. It is also used for the affection of a people for their king or a dog for his master, and is the realm of familial love.
Love means caring for the people in your life regardless of what they might do, and not judging them for the choices that they might make. It means treating everyone in your life, as you would want to be treated yourself. It means giving of yourself without expecting anything at all in return.
I think that in reality, I can sum up what love means to me in one simple word.
Sacrifice.
Agape is the word for unconditional love and commitment, and is the highest form of selfless love. It was first coined in the New Testament to describe God’s love, and is the kind of love that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians. It believes all things, endures all things, hopes all things, and judges nothing. It is in actuality, the most rare form of love.
Philos refers to esteem and affection reflected in the loving concern that friends have for one another. This is the love we feel for the people that come into our lives and touch us in some way. It is respectful love, and should be a part of all relationships, regardless of whether they are friends, family, or that special someone.
Eros is the word used for sensual, romantic, and physical love. It is often considered to be self-centered love, or obsessive love and is the realm of physical desires and cravings.
Stergos is to feel deep affection, especially the affection between parents and children. It is also used for the affection of a people for their king or a dog for his master, and is the realm of familial love.
Love means caring for the people in your life regardless of what they might do, and not judging them for the choices that they might make. It means treating everyone in your life, as you would want to be treated yourself. It means giving of yourself without expecting anything at all in return.
I think that in reality, I can sum up what love means to me in one simple word.
Sacrifice.
