Quote You can love a person dear to you with a human...

“You can love a person dear to you with a human love, but an enemy can only be loved with divine love.” - Leo Tolstoy

Decryption of quote

Love is a complex and powerful emotion that can manifest in various forms and intensities. When we love someone who is dear to us, our love is often rooted in human emotions such as affection, care, and compassion. This kind of love is natural and familiar, stemming from our innate desire to connect with others and form meaningful relationships.

However, when it comes to loving an enemy, the dynamics of love shift dramatically. An enemy is someone who may have hurt us, betrayed us, or caused us pain. It can be incredibly challenging to extend love towards someone who has caused us harm, as our natural instinct may be to retaliate or hold onto feelings of anger and resentment.

Yet, the quote suggests that loving an enemy requires a different kind of love - divine love. Divine love transcends human limitations and biases, allowing us to see beyond the surface-level actions of our enemy and recognize their inherent worth and humanity. It is a love that is unconditional, forgiving, and all-encompassing.

When we love our enemies with divine love, we are able to break free from the cycle of hatred and negativity that often accompanies conflict. By choosing to respond with love instead of retaliation, we can create space for healing, reconciliation, and transformation.

Divine love challenges us to rise above our own ego and extend compassion and understanding to those who may have wronged us. It requires us to let go of our desire for vengeance and instead choose a path of empathy and forgiveness.

Ultimately, loving an enemy with divine love is a powerful act of courage and strength. It requires us to confront our own biases and prejudices, and to see the humanity in even those who may have hurt us. It is a transformative experience that can lead to greater compassion, empathy, and connection.

So, while human love may come naturally to us when it comes to loving those who are dear to us, loving an enemy with divine love is a choice that requires conscious effort and intention. It is a choice to see beyond the surface-level differences and conflicts, and to embrace the common humanity that unites us all.

In the end, loving an enemy with divine love is not only a gift to the other person, but also a gift to ourselves. It allows us to release the burden of anger and resentment, and to experience the liberating power of forgiveness and compassion.




inspirational love

Quotes to Explore


 inspirational quotes - Image for quote : I don't think anyone ever gets over anything in life; they merely get used to it.

I don't think anyone ever gets over anything in life; they merely get used to it.

Douglas Coupland

 inspirational quotes - Image for quote : What could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you hadn't lived it

What could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you hadn't lived it

Edward Albee

 inspirational quotes - Image for quote : Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.

Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.

Erica Jong

 inspirational quotes - Image for quote : I've learned... . That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned... . That being kind is more important than being right.

H. Jackson Brown Jr.

 inspirational quotes - Image for quote : Most important thing in life is learning how to fall.

Most important thing in life is learning how to fall.

Jeannette Walls

 inspirational quotes - Image for quote : I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them.

I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them.

Joe Abercrombie