What is Love?

from the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin:

When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots are become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body. No... don't blush. I am telling you some truths. For that is just being in love; which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away... (Iannis to Pelagia)

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.”

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

“Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness.”

If a relationship is to evolve, it must go through a series of endings. -- Lisa Moriyama

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Successful marriage is always a triangle: a man, a woman, and God. -Cecil Myers

The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolates. It is focused attention. love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at the moment. Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love... You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving... Now is the best time to express love because you dont know how long you will have the opportunity. Circumstances change, people die.. children grow up.. you have no guarantee of tomorrow... the best use of life is love. the best expression of love is time. the best time to love is now... (from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren)