You cannot give what you do not have

[PelagiathePenit]

If you do not love yourself, you cannot love others. If you do not forgive yourself, you cannot forgive others… Is this really true? I suppose some people love themselves too much to really, not love others. Some people can forgive their own offenses, but not others.
I heard this in a homily at church. Something about how you cannot give what you do not have.

 

[pianistclare]

It’s kind of like a take-off on “you can’t fix what you don’t own”.

When people say they love themselves, they are really talking about vanity.
For real love is not self-centered.
1 Corinthinians13:4-13

Likewise, if one does not forgive yourself, we are not accepting that forgiveness is possible.
Forgiving oneself, and not others is also a kind of vanity. “It’s ok for me, but not for you”.
It’s not so much that you’re not capable, it’s more the idea that one don’t really have an accurate view of love, forgiveness, charity, good will, etc. If one truly understands what these words mean, one can certainly express and behave correctly, with love and charity.
Peace.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

When you speak about some people loving themselves too much, it seems to me you are confusing affection with love. Many people do it seems these days… We use the word love for many applications. Really though, to love oneself would be to make sure you have what you need to survive. Eating a whole box of ho hos (do they still make those?) is not really loving oneself, nor is spoiling yourself with all sorts of extras you not need. Later, one will pay for it somehow. It is not good for oneself.

Love means wanting what is best, right, just and good.  It is merciful, kind but also prudent.

To love, someone has to know Who Love is, and to know Him, be a part of Him. This reminds me of a dance song, popular in my high school days, parodied by a snl skit, entitled" What is love?". Many people ask that question, and it’s a lifelong endeavor. We should always be seeking God’s will.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Think of loving yourself as a first step (and I really, I suggest you give more credit to ‘selfish’ people). Because at the very least, those who appear to have an ‘ego’ have a better idea about what it means to value something compared to people who think they are nothing, depress themselves for being have-nots, and are too scared of any chance to be one of the haves. Like a lot of what I say, it’s blunt but that’s what I came to realize after being much of a have-not myself.