Love is capable of wrapping us in an aura of magic, giving the beloved an appearance of absolute flawlessness.

Illusions of Perfection: The Dual Nature of Love's Idealization

Love is capable of wrapping us in an aura of magic, giving the beloved an appearance of absolute flawlessness. In moments of infatuation, our attention focuses solely on positive qualities, and we begin to see in them an undeniable unity with an ideal that may have nothing to do with objective reality. This phenomenon creates the impression that the loved one is unique and irreplaceable, even if at first glance their features seem no different from others.

However, true flawlessness goes beyond superficial perfection. It lies in deep moral excellence that cannot be measured by a beautiful exterior or outward qualities. In this sense, perfection takes on a spiritual form—purity, justice, and the commitment to avoid evil. This perspective clearly demonstrates that love, despite its power, can create an illusion of perfection even where none objectively exists.

Ultimately, it is important to recognize the dual nature of our tendency to idealize. The emotional perception of infatuation nurtures the dream of infallibility, but real flawlessness requires not only beauty but also inner harmony based on high moral principles. By remaining true to ourselves and striving for spiritual growth, we can learn to distinguish between the dazzling illusion of perfection and the true ideal built on the solid foundation of life wisdom and moral values.

Can we really speak of the flawlessness of a loved one if we truly like everything about them?

Love has the power to envelop a person in an aura of ideality, making us believe that every aspect of them is appealing and that they are without faults. However, it is important to differentiate between two sides of this phenomenon. On one hand, infatuation can lead to idealization, where the beloved appears to be unique and incomparable, even though outwardly they might be no better than others. As noted in one of the sources:

"This person, who is loved by someone, even though outwardly appears no better or more beautiful than others, seems unique, incomparable, and irreplaceable in the eyes of the lover. This is the idealization that is so often described in literature. Its meaning is that, through the external shell, we, in the light of love, perceive the hidden ideal side of the beloved..." (source: link txt)

On the other hand, the notion of flawlessness implies not only an ideal appearance or a common perception but also a higher moral perfection—the kind that, in a religious or moral context, is referred to as "impeccability." This level of flawlessness is described as a state free from reproach, attainable only through spiritual excellence:

"Meanwhile, anyone whom you cannot accuse of adultery or murder is free from blame. However... he says: this person was impeccable, just, and God-fearing, and kept away from evil. Similarly, God, wishing to show Abraham that in virtue—above all—lies flawlessness, tells him: 'Walk before Me and be impeccable' (Gen. 17:1). This flawlessness is understood in the sense of the highest moral perfection." (source: link txt)

Thus, when we view the beloved solely through the lens of positive qualities, we tend to idealize them. But this perception is rather subjective and emotionally charged, and does not always indicate their objective flawlessness in terms of moral virtue. Love can highlight what is beautiful; however, true flawlessness demands deep moral integrity—a quality that idealization sometimes only fabricates in our imagination rather than confirms in reality.

Supporting citation(s):
"This person, who is loved by someone, even though outwardly appears no better or more beautiful than others, seems unique, incomparable, and irreplaceable in the eyes of the lover. This is the idealization that is so often described in literature..." (source: link txt)
"Meanwhile, anyone whom you cannot accuse of adultery or murder... he says: this person was impeccable, just, and God-fearing, and kept away from evil. Similarly, God, wishing to show Abraham that in virtue—above all—lies flawlessness, tells him: 'Walk before Me and be impeccable' (Gen. 17:1)..." (source: link txt)