What do you think of this quote about love?

Question

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage. - Lao Tzu

I think there's a fine line between courage and stupidity especially when it comes to "love" and in most circumstances being courageous is completely irrational, so I think this Lao Tzu guy is mistaken and foolish to state such a thing. How do you feel about this?

Answer 1

When an intelligent person falls in love he is consciously taking up a lot of risks. as he perfectly knows that it can lead to a huge disappointment or problems.thus you have to have a lot of courage to fall in love knowing what the aftermath can be.

Answer 2

I feel that you are not understanding the point of the quote. There is no fine line between courage and stupidity because if you have courage, then you have the sense "not to be stupid". Courage has many definitions but "stupid" is not found in any of them. Loving someone that deeply opens your heart and mind and teaches you things about yourself that you never knew, and once you have found that "deep love" you become a whole different person, that thinks clearer, smarter and considers the consequences of actions before "reacting". Being that deeply in love sharpens your senses, and brings out the true human nature, to love and protect all that matters to you.

Answer 3

I think that Lao Tzu's very right. In a healthy, loving relationship, these things are very true. At times (not always), the courage may seem irrational, but who wants to live their life completely inside the lines and rationally? We could never really grow that way.

Answer 4

I think that I know what you mean. In order to declare your love, in order to deeply love someone, you have to put your self on the line, and when rejection happens, you look stupid or foolish, so I agree with you in that sense. Perhaps what Lao Tzu meant was spoken from a position of established love, which is arrogant, and assuming that everyone is in that position. You should never be sure of anything in this life. Even love is fickle. What's that saying about death and taxes?

Answer 5

I am going to disagree with you, and I'll explain why...

A few years a go my sister found out that she had breast cancer. Her options were to have a mastectomy, followed by chemo and radiation. She has her hubby and my nephew that love her very much and that she has to love and care for. Because of their love for her she had the strength to go through all the medical procedures that she needed. But it was her love of them that gave her the courage to face this issue and come out on top.

I asked her once how she did it all, and she replied, if it weren't for B, and R, I probably wouldn't have the courage nor the gumption (a grandma word) to do it all.

So there you go, I hope that this might understand his quote a little better.

Answer 6

I don't think you understand the deep meaning in this quote about love.

It takes courage to give someone love because it may not be returned or it might not last. That takes courage!

To be deeply loved by someone does give you strength because you are not floundering through life on your own.

Answer 7

Perhaps he's assuming you've thought over whether the person is worth loving. He didn't say foolishly fall in love with people.

I think his meaning is that by loving someone deeply, you've found something valuable in life, perhaps more so than yourself. As a result, you find courage in pursuing your goals, now that you have something to pursue. Kind of one truth leads to another.

Answer 8

the fire that burns twice as bright
burns twice as fast

love that is calm, stable and true never burns out at all because it feeds on that which it produces.

i am loved deeply, by my son most of all and that has given me the strength to face many hardships in my life.
i love my little boy with all my heart and that has given me the courage to do things i would never believed myself capable of before i had him.
his faith in me boulsters my faith in myself. i don't want to dissappoint him, so through him i have the strength and courage to live up to him. to truly be worthy of his love and faith.

Answer 9

i think the quote is right on, love is not always rational. and courage is taking action in the face of fear, knowing that someone is supporting you gives you boldness and freedom to do things you might not do otherwise.

Answer 10

perhaps you are mistaken lust for love and i have been in both,when you truly love someone,you have the courage to protect that person and them loving you gives you the strength to do so.-