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In reply to the discussion: Why are men choosing not to marry anymore? [View all]Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Ask someone what the opposite of love is, and they will say "hate", or the more clever answer "apathy". Of course, neither answer is correct. The opposite of love is manipulation.
Love is acting entirely in the interests of the other person for their sake alone. It is completely and totally unselfish. When you manipulate, you are acting on YOUR own interests to try to get the desired response.
So yes, giving your wife flowers hoping to have sex is not a loving gesture but giving her flowers to help cheer her up after a bad day is a loving gesture. Buying your kid designer clothes so YOU can be sure the other parent's notice is also not a loving gesture, working an extra job so you can afford the Air Jordans so the kid will not feel left on with the rest of the basketball team is a loving gesture.
Working on yourself as a human being is a lifelong venture.