We shall not long have love to man if we do not first and chiefly cultivate love to God.
This quote implies that the foundation of love for others stems from a primary love for God. It suggests that to truly and sustainably love our fellow humans, we must first cultivate a deep, spiritual connection with the divine. This is because it’s through understanding and experiencing God’s unconditional love that we learn how to extend such profound compassion towards others.
The phrase “we shall not long have” hints at sustainability. It could be interpreted as saying that any affection or goodwill we show towards others without first having a solid foundation of divine love is likely to be fleeting or unstable.
In essence, this quote explores the idea of vertical and horizontal dimensions of love – vertical being our relationship with God (or a higher power), and horizontal being our relationships with other people. The suggestion is that the vertical dimension informs and strengthens the horizontal one; in other words, our spiritual relationship enhances our human relationships.
Applying this concept in today’s world might mean prioritizing spiritual growth or religious practices in order to develop more genuine, enduring compassion for others. In terms of personal development, it might involve seeking deeper understanding of one’s own spirituality before attempting to foster meaningful connections with those around them.
However, even if someone does not believe in God or identify as religious, this principle can still resonate on a secular level. The ‘God’ here can be seen metaphorically as representing ideals like unconditional kindness, empathy and selflessness – qualities often associated with divinity but also achievable by humans striving for moral excellence. Therefore cultivating ‘love for God’, could mean nurturing these virtues within ourselves first so we are better equipped to share them with others.
