Defining True Love: Commitment and Sacrifice

Love is not merely a feeling of pleasant emotions or a momentary affection; it is a deeply conscious decision to give oneself to another and to place their interests above one’s own. In our dynamic world, love ceases to be a superficial emotion—it becomes an act of constant self-denial, responsibility, and sincere devotion. True love requires that we sacrifice our own comforts, giving up familiar ease for the sake of the beloved’s well-being. This is evident even in everyday moments when caring for someone dear takes priority despite fatigue or personal desires.

A key aspect of genuine love is its resilience in the face of changes and imperfections, for true feelings are not subject to fleeting mood swings. It is a conscious choice to remain present, support, and help even when circumstances change. Love is not simply an emotion; it elevates the responsibility toward those we have chosen, becoming a long-term commitment to our partner, family, and our own conscience.

The idea of exclusivity also plays an important role when love is seen as something personal, directed toward a unique, unrepeatable being. This state of freedom allows a person to remain true to the chosen one, without replacing the real feeling with superficial relationships. It is in this form that love finds its strength, requiring total sincerity and unity with the object of affection.

Thus, true love is a complex and multifaceted concept that combines emotional depth with ethical principles of self-denial and responsibility. It is not merely the pleasure of interaction but an active striving to relinquish one’s own interests in favor of the harmony and well-being of the loved one, making love a vital force capable of transforming our reality.

What criteria can be considered in defining the concept of love, and is it possible to propose an alternative definition?

In defining love, several important criteria can be taken into account. First and foremost, love is not limited to pleasant feelings or a simple affectionate attitude that we often associate with the word “love.” True love, according to several sources, requires a completely different level of self-denial and sacrifice. For example, one text clearly states:

"I love him, therefore I am ready to do the laundry, ready to clean up after him, ready to spend thirty years by his bedside, ready to sacrifice myself for him, ready to give everything, ready to go anywhere for him." (source: link )

This emphasizes that love implies a willingness to prioritize another person’s interests over one’s own comforts and even habits. True love is manifested not through the satisfaction of personal desires alone, but through the continuous effort to give one’s self, energy, and strength to the beloved.

Another important aspect is the ability to love despite imperfections and changes in our feelings. It is not enough to simply enjoy pleasant interactions; love must exhibit inner steadfastness so that despite mood swings or changing circumstances, responsibility and devotion persist. In one source, it is noted:

"Love is responsibility and our duty toward those we have chosen to love, as well as toward God and our conscience. By choosing our loved ones, we are responsible for them." (source: link )

This idea underlines that love is built not only on emotional attachment but also on the conscious decision to be present, to support, and to care for another person.

Additionally, self-denial—a criterion emphasized in several texts—is an indicator of mature love. For instance, love is shown through the continuous renunciation of one’s own interests for the good of another, as illustrated in the depiction of maternal love:

"A mother loves her child and therefore is constantly sacrificing: she may want to sleep, but she gets up; she may want to lie down and read a book, yet she cooks porridge..." (source: link )

This statement demonstrates that love involves daily sacrifices and a readiness to forsake personal comfort for the sake of the beloved.

Another criterion is the concept of exclusivity and freedom, where love is regarded as something personal and directed exclusively toward a singular, unrepeatable being. One source explains:

"Love can only be free, which is why the Lord created man as a free being... Thus, true love is recognized: whoever 'can act otherwise' and 'can be with others' does not truly understand love. Love is about being chosen, in which often nothing is felt from the act of choosing." (source: link )

Thus, true love does not tolerate division or compromises regarding the object of love but demands complete and exclusive devotion.

Based on these criteria, an alternative definition of love can be proposed: it is not merely a feeling or personal pleasure experienced, but a comprehensive attitude expressed through deep self-sacrifice, responsibility, devotion, and the ability to prioritize another's needs even at the expense of one's own desires. According to this definition, love comprises both an emotional and an ethical component, requiring constant self-denial and a readiness to take responsibility for the chosen one.

Supporting citation(s):
"I love him, therefore I am ready to do the laundry, ready to clean up after him, ready to spend thirty years by his bedside, ready to sacrifice myself for him, ready to give everything, ready to go anywhere for him." (source: link )
"Love is responsibility and our duty toward those we have chosen to love, as well as toward God and our conscience." (source: link )
"A mother loves her child and therefore is constantly sacrificing: she may want to sleep, but she gets up; she may want to lie down... yet, she cooks porridge..." (source: link )
"Love can only be free, which is why the Lord created man as a free being... Thus, true love is recognized: whoever 'can act otherwise' and 'can be with others' does not truly understand love. Love is about being chosen..." (source: link )