"El amor inmaduro dice: "Te amo porque te necesito." El amor maduro dice: "Te necesito porque te amo.""
— Erich Fromm
Simplified Meaning:
When people are in a relationship just because they feel a strong need for the other person, that is often a sign of immature love. This can be seen when someone feels they need their partner like a lifeline, maybe because they fear being alone or feel incomplete without them. On the other hand, mature love is when someone loves their partner deeply and genuinely, and as a result of that love, they also feel a strong need for their partner. For example, imagine two friends, Anna and Bob. Anna depends on Bob to make her feel happy and fulfilled, and she might cling to him just because she doesn’t want to face life alone. This dependence is more about her needs than about Bob himself. In contrast, Bob cares for Anna because he truly loves her – he respects her, supports her dreams, and enjoys sharing life with her. Because of this deep love, he naturally feels that she is very important in his life. This idea tells us that real, mature relationships are built on true affection and respect, not just on trying to fill a personal void. By focusing on loving others genuinely, we can build stronger, more fulfilling connections. In everyday life, one can apply this by striving to form relationships based on mutual respect, care, and genuine affection, rather than dependency.