Vee’s Reviews > The Four Loves > Status Update

We all have behaviours and habits which require grace from our loved ones. In that sense, we are all receiving charity (love) in some form. Still, it’s often exceptionally hard for us to accept charity, or what we perceive to be ‘pity’.

Charity is not charity unless it’s given earnestly; not as a snub, IOU, etc. Moreover, being open to both giving and receiving it (as a form of love) deepens our humanity.

Granted it was written in 1960, (unsurprisingly) parts of it haven’t aged well. But I’m glad I finally read this. It’s been on my list for 7 years and got me to reflect on how pop culture and social norms have shifted over time.

‘We are born helpless. As soon as we are fully conscious we discover loneliness. We need others physically, emotionally, intellectually; we need them if we are to know anything, even ourselves’