Merit

“To love is to value. Only a rationally selfish man, a man of self esteem, is capable of love - because he is the only man capable of holding firm, consistent, uncompromising, unbetrayed value. The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone”
― Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism

“You’re what I want. No other angel, or man, will ever stand above you in my esteem, in my regard, or in my love.”
― Amy A. Bartol, Inescapable