Erich Seligmann Fromm (1900–1980) was a German-American Jewish social psychologist, psychoanalyst, humanistic philosopher, and democratic socialist. He also brought to his work a strong religious understanding, a humanistic ethic and a vision of possibility. He had the ability to write for a popular audience, to develop a strong social critique, and to combine psychological insight with social theory (drawing on diverse sources such as Freud and Marx). Fromm considered love to be an interpersonal creative capacity rather than an emotion, and he distinguished this creative capacity from what he considered to be various forms of narcissistic neuroses and sado-masochistic tendencies that are commonly held out as proof of true love. Indeed, Fromm viewed the experience of falling in love as evidence of one's failure to understand the true nature of love, which he believed always had the common elements of care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge.
Erich S. Fromm Quotes
Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.
In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two.
I've made the most important discovery of my life. It's only in the mysterious equation of love that any logical reasons can be found.
If a person loves only one other person and is indifferent to the rest of his fellow men, his love is not love but a symbiotic attachment, or an enlarged egotism.
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".