Quotes on Love and Hate

"Hate is often an obverse form of love.
You hate someone whom you really wish to love but whom you cannot love."

- Sri Chinmoy

When we hate we actually lose something precious in ourselves. If we bear hatred for others it is like having a stain on our own heart. We may feel it is justified to hate; however, our hatred does not help in anyway. Furthermore, the hate we feel makes us feel miserable, either now or in the future. If we have the capacity to hate we also have the capacity to love. This does not mean we approve of the wrong actions' of others; it just means we maintain an attitude of forgiveness and concentrate on the divine aspect deep inside them.

How To overcome Hate.

Hatred can never cease by hatred.
Hatred can only cease by love.
This is an eternal law.

- The Buddha

There is a saying "Hate the crime not the person". If we hate somebody because they have done something wrong, instead we can separate the person from their wrong actions. No matter how bad a person is, there is always the possibility of reformation. It is only ignorance that prevents a person from living according to the aspiration of their soul.

When we hate our enemies, what we actually do is to strengthen their bad qualities. By focusing on their bad qualities we magnify and give them greater importance. Sometimes, we hate people even for a minor infraction. Quite often, we hate for for no particular good reason, such as, jealousy or anger. However, when we hate the person, they tend to react in a similar negative way. Our hatred becomes a reason for them to reciprocate the hatred; therefore, it becomes a negative spiral, without an end in sight

Instead of hatred, if we can maintain an attitude of forgiveness, then we may inspire them to change their ways. It may be that, although, they have some bad qualities they also have good qualities. If they see real forgiveness inside us, it may shame them into mending their ways. When their enemies respond with love rather than hate, it encourages them to do the same.

No remedy for black hate?
Who says?
Just love
And love more,
That's all.

- Sri Chinmoy

When we hate something in another person, quite often, we are actually hating something that is part of our own nature. If we can extend our consciousness we realise our interconnection and oneness with other people. Therefore, rather than concentrating on others' bad qualities, we shall concentrate on our self improvement. To make real self improvement, we need to let go of feelings of hate.

To love rather than hate, does not mean we have to approve or tolerate their actions. A mother loves her children, no matter what they do; however, that doesn't mean she approves of their wrong actions. A mother will try to correct her children's wrong actions. However, to change the behaviour of her children she will not adopt an attitude of hate; she knows this will be counter-productive. Instead, she will appeal to their better nature in the hope that some day they will change their behaviour.