bell hooks quoting Erich Fromm’s definition of love…

“the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” Explaining further, he continues: “Love is as love does. Love is an act of will—namely, both an intention and an action. Will also implies choice. We do not have to love. We choose to love.” Since the choice must be made to nurture growth, this definition counters the more widely accepted assumption that we love instinctually.”

— All About Love: New Visions (Love Song to the Nation Book 1) by bell hooks a.co/08X8dFK