What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (2024)

By Stephen Walton

What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (1)

When we consider the question...

"What is love?"… many things come to mind. The word "love" can have a variety of individual and personal meanings.

For example:

  • Your religious and spiritual belief and love of God
  • Interpersonal love such as the closeness of family members
  • A passionate desire for a special person like your partner, spouse or lover
  • Platonic love that defines a close and special friendship

The Virtue of Love

What is love as a virtue?

The bestowing of unconditional love and having a positive impact on the lives of others.

Showing a genuine concern for the good of others, with unselfish acts of kindness such as: compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, service, and other humanitarian and noble actions.

Love is truly the most powerful force of life, it ignites our emotions, guides us in a positive light and brings meaning to our lives.

"Love is the element which though physically unseen is as real as air or water. It is an acting, living, moving force… it moves in waves and currents like those of the ocean."

- Prentice Mulford -

Think about it…

Without love, our hearts would be cold, our souls hollow and our lives would be empty and without purpose.

Oliver Homes (Past Dean of Harvard Medical School) said that:

"Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness"

How true that is…

What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (2)

As love creates indestructible families, builds long lasting bonds in relationships, develops inner peace and tranquility and promotes peace and understanding in the world.

Love is the catalyst that bonds all other virtues that make up the content of good character.

I personally believe, "Love" is the greatest virtue, it is by far the greatest gift you can give or receive.

Commit to loving unconditionally, yourself with all your flaws and imperfections, your family life with all your heart, and learn to love life with exuberant passion.

When it comes to love, there is no better evidence in the saying:

"We Reap What We Sow"…

As the more love your heart can give, the more it will receive.

"Love Is Its Own Reward"

"May you remember that love flows best when it flows freely
and it is in giving that we receive the greatest gift."

- Kate Nowak -

Articles: Related To The Virtue Of Love


"The Importance Of Loving Yourself"

What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (3)

You must learn to love yourself for who you are, with all your flaws and imperfections before you can truly live life to its fullest....Continue Reading...


"Learn To Love Life"

What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (4)

In order to truly love life, we must cultivate a positive attitude and embrace the power of love and gratitude toward everything in life...Continue Reading...


Watch for these upcoming articles

"Family Love And Positive Parenting"

"Unconditional Love For Your Children"

Return To: "Home Page"..from: "What Is Love"

If you find our site interesting and informative, we would love for you to

"Like or Share" us on Facebook

Visit our Facebook page on the link below

The Positive Parenting Centre
What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (5)
Promote Your Page Too

Subscribe to our
Periodic Newsletter

What is Love?… The greatest virtue of all (2024)

FAQs

Why is love considered the greatest virtue? ›

First, upon attainment of the beatific vision, caritas is the only theological virtue which does not get superseded or replaced. Secondly, faith and hope are graces which are primarily concerned with the good of self, whereas love is ordered towards the good of the other.

What is the meaning of love is the greatest of all? ›

The meaning of the line "love is the greatest of all" in the poem is that love holds a profound and divine content, and it is considered to be the most important thing in life. It is associated with the sacrament of communion and the soul's reception into heaven.

Which is the greatest of all virtues? ›

The theological virtues are those named by Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 13: "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." The third virtue is also commonly referred to as "charity", as this is how the influential King James Bible translated the Greek word agape.

Why is love the root of all virtues? ›

Without love, we cannot see the needs of others. Love enables us to genuinely care for the well-being of others. Love brings forth forgiveness. One who loves keeps no record of wrongdoing (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Why is love the greatest of the three virtues? ›

It's the greatest virtue because you look outwardly and work for others instead of focusing on yourself. If you love something enough you'll do anything to have the greatest things happen to them/it. After all is said and done, all we need is love.

What is virtue in love? ›

Virtues serve to focus, structure, and even define erotic love. In particular, caring, respect, faithfulness, honesty, fairness, wisdom, and gratitude are central to successful, long-term relationships.

Is love a virtue or a value? ›

Love is a strength within the virtue category of humanity, one of six virtues that subcategorize the 24 strengths. Humanity describes strengths that manifest in caring relationships with others. These strengths are interpersonal and are mostly relevant in one-on-one relationships.

What are the virtues of love examples? ›

Everyday Love

The virtues of fidelity, generosity, compassion, mercy, gratitude, humility, simplicity, tolerance, purity, gentleness, and good faith each prepare us for love. Practice them every day. Love will emerge and strengthen.

Which verse says greatest love of all? ›

For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.

What is the meaning of greatest virtue? ›

Virtue by definition, is the moral excellence of a person. Morally excellent people have a character made up of virtues, such as honestly, respect, courage, forgiveness and kindness. Virtues need to be cultivated to be active in one's life.

What is the most powerful virtue? ›

They considered wisdom to be the master virtue, the one that directs all the others. Wisdom is good judgment. It enables us to make reasoned decisions that are both good for us and good for others.

What is the biggest virtue? ›

Virtue is for all human beings and compassion is always the highest virtue. Compassion means including everything in your passion. When the whole existence is involved in your passion, you are compassionate.

Is true love a virtue? ›

Love is the desire for what's best for someone or something. It's the greatest virtue because you look outwardly and work for others instead of focusing on yourself. If you love something enough you'll do anything to have the greatest things happen to them/it.

What does love mean as a value? ›

Love is the principle which creates and sustains human relations with dignity and depth. Love means I can be kind, caring and understanding. Love is the basis for a belief in equality and goodwill toward all.

What is the virtue of love quotes? ›

The virtue of Love is nothing and all, or that Nothing visible out of which All Things proceed. Its power is through All Things; its height is as high as God; its greatness is as great as God.

Why is love considered to be the greatest among the cardinal and theological virtues? ›

"So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love." First, because it informs the other two: "It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." According to Augustine of Hippo, from a temporal perspective, love lasts, while "Hope isn't hope if its object is seen ...

Is love considered a virtue? ›

Love is a strength within the virtue category of humanity, one of six virtues that subcategorize the 24 strengths. Humanity describes strengths that manifest in caring relationships with others. These strengths are interpersonal and are mostly relevant in one-on-one relationships.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 6350

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.