We are not commanded (or forbidden) to love our mates, our children, our friends, our country because such affections come naturally to us and are good in themselves, although we may corrupt them. We are commanded to love our neighbor because our natural attitude toward the other is one of either indifference or hostility.

Summary

This quote highlights the premise that love towards certain individuals or groups, such as our partners, children, friends, or country, often arises naturally within us and is generally deemed positive. However, we are not explicitly instructed to love them because it tends to occur naturally. On the contrary, we are specifically commanded to love our neighbors because our instinctive tendency towards others outside of our familiar circles is typically one of apathy or animosity. The quote suggests that loving our neighbors requires a conscious effort to overcome this indifference or hostility and emphasizes the importance of extending love and compassion beyond our immediate connections.

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