condescending toward her, as though he, in his love, were superior. Love is concerned with love, not its devotee.
41 Much that we feel, think and do, is inspired from love; we just don’t realize it. It is now time to realize it, so that we can expand in it — be more loving.
42 And she can say to me, “I thought you were to be so all loving …” And I can reply, “No, I’m not all
loving –Do you know anyone who is?– but I’m trying my best. I do fail myself; but then, I’m not perfect; are you? ̶ A little sarcasm to show I’m not perfect.
43 Love is a giving; and in the giving, is a receiving.
44 There is an exuberance, a special vitality, to the love life.
45 Draw inward to yourself to the center of your love power from whence it draws you.
46 Humor and easy laughter come easily to the lover of love.
47 With love, I gain a strength to make gestures that I normally couldn’t do because of masculine pride, and just of pride in general.
48 A reserved half-smile a subdued exuberance are requisite in the requisite circumstances.
49 Just as your goodness must have some edge to it, so does your love; we are dealing with humans not angels.
50 Love is a softening feel ̶ but by no means a weakening.
51 Love “empties men of disaffection and fills them with affection.” (Plato)
52 Observe how, when you lighten up, brighten up, that others do too. A smile, a good morning, an interested comment or attitude–especially a little compliment ̶ will break down stone barriers, will warm chilly moods ̶ not always, of course, but extensively enough to make it worthwhile.
53 And often it happens that our love toward others seems artificial to us ̶ and we might feel others feels the same ̶ : our smile or gesture are not quite sincere, overdone, as it were. But then we can’t be expected to always be totally sincere in all that we do. And on the other hand, nor can many of us be false to ourselves or to others. In this latter case, one does not pretend love, but is himself because the truth of the matter (his non-loving mood) is more important to him than a show of love. Yet this does not mean that one must be rude or dour or sour.
54 If you really did that kindness, that thoughtfulness, from love then it shouldn’t bother you, if is not appreciated. This is true selflessness.
55 There is no need to despair, friend, love saves all – the proper perspective of love, that is; and this perspective is everything.
56 Oh, it can be hard, hard, hard to contain one’s impulse to “strike out,” to “strike back,” at the offender of our pride, our self-esteem, confidence, our pleasure, our fears, our complacency — and ever so much more love then needs its armor and arms for defense.
57 Wash the taut, serious, frown, expression from your face. Put a relaxed responsive expression on instead.
58 It is easier to love at a distance, in appearance, than those near to us.
59 It’s hard to be always loving, nice, when there’s seems to be always something to criticize about others.
60 The gravity of our physiology and of circumstances make goodwill a trying, requiring, feat at times.
The Love Testament 