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The Four Loves

by C.S. Lewis

4.16 · Rating Details · 32,419 Ratings · 1,101 Reviews

In his classic book "The Four Loves," Lewis describes the four basic kinds of human love-affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God. Since this is the only commercial recording of C. S. Lewis that is available today, fans of his writing will desire to add this impressive recording to their collection.

While Lewis's writings have impacted more evangelical Christ ...more

Audio CD, Abridged, 135 pages

Published May 12th 2004 by Thomas Nelson (first published 1960)

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Feb 08, 2008 Suzanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: spiritual

Read this in college when most of it went over my head...then life happens. After a life full of joy and tragedy and senseless loss at times...this work sits in my nightstand drawer so I can be renewed, reawakened and reminded of higher purposes when the world is too much with me.

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Aug 29, 2008 Doug rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Overall a fascinating read, though a bit more "high-brow" than my usual fare. Having a background in the classics, as in OLD classics, would help to make more of it understandable. And sometimes I got a little lost in his logic. However, the points of view on the different types of love were very useful to me, in reflecting on my own life and relationships. If I were to sum up the effect on me in one word, it would be "clarifying."

I am an incurable romantic; nevertheless through the years I hav ...more

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Sep 15, 2009 Charity rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

With clarity C.S. Lewis outlines the four loves as he understands them. As I read I recognized the roles these loves play, and have played, in my life and in the lives of those I know. People and possible motives for their actions became apparent to me. It is a book that captures reflections to share with the reader and allow them to create more of the same. Below is an excerpt that I wished to share.

"There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart ...more

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Mar 23, 2013 David Sarkies rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anybody

Recommended to David by: My Dad, and Plato

Shelves: philosophy

Lewis explores love
24 March 2013

This is one of those books that every time I read it (this is the third time I think) I learn something new, so I guess I am going to have to put this book up in the realms of literature. The interesting thing about this book is that when Lewis wrote it he had not been in a relationship (he remained single until he met Joy Davidman, which is actually the subject of a book, a movie, and even a play) so he is not actually writing from experience. However, we should Lewis explores love
24 March 2013

This is one of those books that every time I read it (this is the third time I think) I learn something new, so I guess I am going to have to put this book up in the realms of literature. The interesting thing about this book is that when Lewis wrote it he had not been in a relationship (he remained single until he met Joy Davidman, which is actually the subject of a book, a movie, and even a play) so he is not actually writing from experience. However, we should note that Eros plays only one part of this particular book and, as Lewis demonstrates, love is much, much more than erotic love.

The title of the book comes from the idea that in Greek there are four different words for love and Lewis puts them down as: affection, friendship, erotic love, and charitable love. Like the Symposium (which no doubt he was familiar with) he also rates them in the order of importance, with Charity being the highest form of love. The idea of charity is doing things for people with no expectation of anything in return simply out of the goodness of your heart. In fact, doing such things for strangers and for people who can never actually give anything back is the essence of this type of love.

Lewis explores each of these forms of love, though he adds a fifth, which he does not necessarily consider to be love, but rather a fondness of something - in this he outlines the love of one's country (patriotism) and the love of nature. Throughout the book though (with the exception of Charity) he is also exploring the dangers that with these forms of love give rise (okay, he does not actually do that with friendship, and indicates that any of the dangers that arise from affection and eros go beyond what that form of love really is). He makes mention of the dark gods numerous times, and since he was a Christian when he was writing this, he is no doubt referring to demonic forces. Obviously with a love of nature he considers the idea of worshipping nature as a god one aspect of this, and with patriotism, the extremes of which give rise to another form. However, remember that when this book was being written (and he had also fought in the trenches of World War I) World War II was in full swing.

It is interesting what he says about friendship (or as another person puts it, brotherly love) in that it is something that people do not recognise as a form of love in our modern society. In fact people stay away from it for fear of it giving rise to accusations of homosexuality (which was still illegal in his days). However, as is true to Lewis, he does not shy away from discussing this aspect of friendship, and I note from what he has written, in those days homosexuals were seen as being more effeminate than not. Of course he completely debunks that idea by referring to the fact that homosexual love did exist between warriors in the ancient world, and to refer to them, as he says, as 'pansies', is shows a complete mis-understanding the nature of it (though I suspect that this idea, as it is still today, is a means of denigrating those who live a homosexual lifestyle).

Another interesting thing that he points out is how certain people fear the friendship love, especially people like religious leaders and corporate bosses. The idea is that with friendship love there is not only a lack of control over the relationship, but also the fear of a conspiracy. Fortunately in most of the churches that I have been involved with there has not been any attempt to destroy friendships, but I have heard of churches where fake friendships are formed to maintain control over people. Obviously this is more so in the corporate world where friendships can be viewed as a threat to somebody's authority. In fact some bosses will encourage in fighting amongst the employees so that their position may remain secure.

Anyway, I could probably write a lot more on this book, but since this is my last day in Hong Kong before I head off to Europe, and that I have laundry to get done as well as packages to post back to Australia (I ended up buying just a little to much while I was here) I must sign off now. ...more

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Oct 27, 2016 Sonia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“Amar del todo es ser vulnerable. Ama cualquier cosa y tu corazón seguramente será estrujado y posiblemente roto. Si quieres asegurarte de mantenerlo intacto, no debes darle tu corazón a nadie, ni siquiera a un animal. Cúbrelo cuidadosamente con pasatiempos y pequeños lujos; evita cualquier enredo; guárdalo bajo llave en el ataúd o el féretro de tu egoísmo. Pues en ese féretro -seguro, oscuro, sin movimiento y sin aire- cambiará. No lo harán pedazos; se volverá irrompible, impenetrable, irredimi

...more

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Nov 01, 2014 Werner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Christians interested in serious reflection

Shelves: christian-life-and-thought

Though Lewis is a favorite writer of mine, this is the first time that I've read this particular short volume, presenting his theological, moral, psychological and philosophical reflections on the human experience of the four kinds of "love" referred to (by different Greek words) in the New Testament. One reviewer spoke of this as an "apologetic," and indeed Lewis wrote many apologetic works, designed to make a rational case for Christianity for unbelieving readers. However, this isn't one of th Though Lewis is a favorite writer of mine, this is the first time that I've read this particular short volume, presenting his theological, moral, psychological and philosophical reflections on the human experience of the four kinds of "love" referred to (by different Greek words) in the New Testament. One reviewer spoke of this as an "apologetic," and indeed Lewis wrote many apologetic works, designed to make a rational case for Christianity for unbelieving readers. However, this isn't one of them. Here he's presupposing that the Bible and the Christian gospel are true, and writing to offer readers who share that view his insights into how, in the light of that truth, we should think about love in its various manifestations. Non-Christian readers would probably not be interested in that approach to the subject (although, since all truth is God's truth, he draws his thoughts from a lifetime --this was published three years before he died-- of observation of human beings, not simply from Scripture and theology). It's also not a book that's designed to be a "practical" manual, laying down all sorts of rules for day-to-day conduct. Rather, it's concerned with helping people to think about the subject rightly, in the consciousness that "ideas have consequences" for behavior. The vocabulary and thought, as always in Lewis' writing, is aimed at the ordinary intelligent layman; it avoids jargon, and while it's profound, it's never pedantic.

The six-chapter structure of the book is simple and logical. First, he introduces the subject of love in general in Chapter 1, moving beyond the facile labeling of "gift-love" as invariably positive and "need-love" as invariably inferior and negative, and expounding the idea that "God is love" (and not the converse). Chapter 2, by way of prolegomena, treats our "Likings and Loves for the Sub-human," including love of nature, and patriotism; these aren't the types of love for personal beings spoken of in Scripture, but have a certain "continuity" with them. Finally, he devotes a chapter to each of the "loves" addressed in Scripture: the natural affection of family and close association; freely-conferred friendship; Eros, or romantic love; and "charity" (Latin, caritas; Greek, agape), the kind of unconditional, self-giving love God has for us and desires us to have for Him and for each other.

Simply recounting the chapter schema, however, doesn't reflect the variety and depth of insight here, and summarizing it in the limited space of a review wouldn't do it justice. This is a meaty, pithy book to sink your intellectual and spiritual teeth into, and designed to make you think. Even when you disagree with him (and I do on one or two minor points), here as elsewhere, Lewis is always intellectually stimulating, and leads you to insights you wouldn't have come to without the interaction. But what he proffers, he does so with a profound humility that commands my respect and admiration as much as his wisdom. His was a first-rate mind; and it's always a privilege to read his work. ...more

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Mar 08, 2008 Chak rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: metaphysical-spiritual, non-fiction

I talk about how much I dislike Lewis and yet read two of his books in the space of a few days. Hypocritical much? If you enjoy Lewis' continual didacticism, this is the book for you. I found it hard to get through (though I persevered) due to sexist anachronisms (women, as homemakers, cannot understand a man's world or thoughts) and statements with which I vehemently disagree presented as facts (don't get me started). Admittedly, I don't read philosophy or dogma well, and this is both. However, ...more

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Jul 19, 2017 Ahmad Sharabiani marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century

The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis
The Four Loves is a book by C. S. Lewis which explores the nature of love from a Christian and philosophical perspective through thought experiments. The book was based on a set of radio talks from 1958. Taking his start from St. John's words "God is Love", Lewis initially thought to contrast "Need-love" (such as the love of a child for its mother) and "Gift-love" (epitomized by God's love for humanity), to the disparagement of the former. However he swiftly happened on ...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Jonathan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-literature, c-s-lewis, faith, classics-challenge-3, philosophy

The other works of C.S. Lewis that I have been reading recently, tackle more of the concept of Christianity. Lewis, arguing in those works concepts that I agree with. Namely that Christians aren't any more moral than any other people, nor are they any more spiritual (after all there can be spiritual good and spiritual evil), but that Christianity is more about returning the natural to the supernatural. However, here in this work of non-fiction, he chooses to discuss the topic of love.

Love is one
The other works of C.S. Lewis that I have been reading recently, tackle more of the concept of Christianity. Lewis, arguing in those works concepts that I agree with. Namely that Christians aren't any more moral than any other people, nor are they any more spiritual (after all there can be spiritual good and spiritual evil), but that Christianity is more about returning the natural to the supernatural. However, here in this work of non-fiction, he chooses to discuss the topic of love.

Love is one of those ideas that everyone believes they understand. It is one of the most talked about topics in the world after all. Lewis here attempts to show his readers that they know less about love, and that love is harder to discuss, than you would think. He attempts to divide love into two initial categories: Give-Love and Need-Love. Need-Love, Lewis claims, should not be seen as purely selfish, after all, humans are created with certain needs that are required to be lovingly met. He does make the point however, that an imbalance of this Need-Love is detrimental.

He continues on to discuss four particular types of love which connect to these two categories: storge, philia, eros and agape. Or in more modern terms: affection, friendship, romance and charity.

Affection (storge) is family love, the humble love. It is the love that you feel for people that you are close to, without it being erotic in nature. It is here that Lewis first explores and notes that like with any love if you turn it into a god it becomes a devil. Or, in other words, if you idolise aspects of this love, you turn it into something that curses you. If I constantly 'give' to others because of my affection, to the point where I am 'giving' them things that they do not need I am smothering them. It is this aspect of affection that Lewis criticises as 'Need-Love'. Not to mention that affection is the type of love which many people take for granted, when, like any love it never is.

Friendship (philia) is the love between brothers or sisters. It, as Lewis, explores it, is the love which we turn into the idea of 'equality' today and though writing decades ago, he even tackles this idea. Friendship's goal is not to turn love into something that serves us - to make others bow to our values and so on - but is about finding the common ground between friends (and it is this issue I have with 'equality' - that it trues to bend others to one side's values and ideals rather than finding the common ground). The danger of friendship however, is that it can lead one to create separate 'friendship' groups which ignore the point of friendship as love.

Romantic love (eros) is the sense of being in love. Lewis separates this from purely being about sex by stating that he considers sex to be the 'Venus' of erotic love. This is interesting, because we have turned the word 'erotic' into one which is laden with purely sexual undertones. As Lewis points out however, lusty desire - which is not love - is desire which can be satisfied by any person who are sexually attracted to. Eros on the other hand is the desire for ONE individual. It is quite clear to see how eros as a love has been distorted by modern society I believe, yet Lewis also notes that eros can be dangerous in that it can be abused in a fixative sense - that one can fixate themselves upon one person 'mindlessly'.

Finally we come to Charity, which is referenced in the Bible as agape (though not by Lewis himself) - the greatest form of love. This is spiritual love, the kind of love that God has towards us, and therefore is love in the sacrificial sense. It is love without demanding anything in return, giving without receiving, and is therefore the highest goal of all other loves. Together they are meant to work together towards, and with, charity in an individual's life.

Though Lewis writes his book with a Christian worldview and with Christian audiences mainly in mind, this is one of the more applicable of all Lewis' books to a broad audience. Within it, Lewis reveals the notion that love is not the single concept that we have turned it into. And therefore, such arguments and excuses as 'but I love them' can be turned on their head in the face of this realisation. As said before, Lewis reveals that the aim of Christianity is to turn humanity towards becoming not naturally more moral (after all greed, gluttony and other vices are part of the natural order) but supernaturally perfect. To that end, this book serves to address how Christians should live with love and further what the aim of love should be. ...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Jason Koivu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: psychology-philosophy, favorites

The fantasy novels of CS Lewis can barely touch the fanciful nature of love, but in The Four Loves, his work on the subject feels so in tune with the complexity of its forms that it seems as if it MUST be written by some learned/aged Don Juan reflecting back on the lusts and loves of his past, so much so that you forget all about Lewis, the pasty white English professor and his faerie books. The Four Loves made a strong impression on me in my youth. Perhaps I didn't, and maybe still don't, take ...more

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Apr 01, 2008 Terri rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This book was something I looked forward to reading and then I was totally bored and disgusted with it. What frustrated me the most is how he would take an opinion or outright incorrect statement such as Pagans worship trees (way way way out of context and incorrect) and then use that false statement to support his arguments. That is basic logic 101 class and made most of his arguments invalid. I wanted to like what he was saying but couldnt because he was just down right incorrect in so much.

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Mar 20, 2017 BAM The Bibliomaniac rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, library, audiobooks

I'm listening to this book so I'm not sure how everything is spelled. This first type of love reminds me of the basic level of care at the bottom of the psychological pyramids that is so often neglected and often leads to such dysfunctional young adults and crime. If an infant doesn't feel secure and isn't nurtured, then he will not grow up feeling compassion for humanity.
As for philia I totally agree with his philosophy. I have "friends" and I have friends. I have a group of five sorority siste ...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Tim rated it liked it · review of another edition

At his best Lewis can be very good (Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity), but at other times he can be a bit frustrating. He has an excellent mind overstuffed with knowledge of many fine things, he’s often insightful, and he’s able to write engagingly and accessibly while fleshing out a carefully conceived and detailed plan. But when he’s not at his best there can be too much wordplay and other cleverness combined with an over-certain pedagogy, or at least that’s how it comes off for me. It’s p ...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Marcie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I hadn't read any CS Lewis in years, and I remember not being especially impressed the first time I read this book; it didn't seem to have a cohesive thesis. However, I ran across a used copy at a flea market in NYC (irresistible) and couldn't put it down on the airplane home. I can see why I thought Lewis was tangential, and I assume I overlooked the genius because at the time I was too naive of love (& it's pitfalls) to understand his meditations. No doubt the book will be even more meanin ...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Ginger rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: theology, biblical-studies, church-life, narnia-lewis

Whenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in such a way that is so complex yet so simple. Only a true genius can write something that you feel exactly the same way yourself, but could never have the eloquence to state it like Lewis can.

Highly recommend The Four Loves to anyone who has ever loved anything. I live with a beautiful example of these loves in my own home in my husband, and I kept l ...more

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Mar 26, 2009 Douglas Wilson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: personal-development, marriage-and-family

Outstanding. Also read in September of 1983. And then in 2016 I listened to the audio recording of Lewis himself reading an earlier form of the book.

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Sep 04, 2008 Ron rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Christians, seekers

Shelves: religion-philosophy, christian_life

Re-reading Four Loves several years after my first reading I find a depth that I missed before. This last major work touching on Christianity by Lewis is less polemic and more analytic.

Going beyond the division of loves into gift-loves and need-loves, Lewis delves into how any affection can raise us bring us closer to divine source of love or move us farther away.

Not light reading, but worth it. More profound and challenging with each reading.

New review:

“Perhaps … all experience merely defines … Re-reading Four Loves several years after my first reading I find a depth that I missed before. This last major work touching on Christianity by Lewis is less polemic and more analytic.

Going beyond the division of loves into gift-loves and need-loves, Lewis delves into how any affection can raise us bring us closer to divine source of love or move us farther away.

Not light reading, but worth it. More profound and challenging with each reading.

New review:

“Perhaps … all experience merely defines … the shape of that gap where our love of God ought to be.”
As was often the case, C. S. Lewis’ take on love was thoughtful and out-of-step with the thinking of his day. Even more so our day. Five readings of this text have not demised the depth of thought and challenge found in these pages.

This famous investigation of the four types of love exemplified by the Greek words storge, philos, eros, and charios begins with a preliminary discussion of gift-love versus need love. Lewis, like the scholar he was, defines terms and sets the stage for his greater argument.

In the following 141 pages Lewis takes the reader on a relatively painless though deep investigation of just what love is and how we express it. Until the last chapter he most of his examples arise from everyday life and his citations from literature and psychology. He assures that his reader is with him all the way.

Finally as he expounds on charity Lewis of necessity moves into the supernatural. His references come more often from scripture. And that is of necessity as his definition of charity begins and ends with a gift-love of God. “Thou hast made us for thyself,” he quotes Augustine of Hippo “and our heart has no rest until it comes to Thee.” A love which not only transforms us but transforms how we love. “In my love for wife or friend the only eternal element is the transforming presence of Love Himself.”

“All that was true love … was, even on earth, far more His than ours, and even ours only because His.”
...more

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Nov 19, 2014 Julie Davis rated it it was amazing

This is not the exact same material as his book that bears the same title. Rather it is from a series of radio broadcasts prior to the publication of the book.

That said, I am enjoying hearing Lewis's own voice. I keep thinking of J.R.R. Tolkien's supposed basing of the Ents and their way of talking on his friend C.S. Lewis ... and it kind of works.

Also the material is great and is a wonderful precis (probably) of the book which I know contains more material. And which I will be reading in the f ...more

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Jun 30, 2017 Bekah rated it liked it · review of another edition

I liked the wisdom and insight offered in this book. I thought that Lewis did a great job dedicating so much thought into each type of love and showing how God can be present or misused in each form of love. I did find it to be a bit hard to follow and abstract, but overall a good read.

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Sep 20, 2009 Rebekah Choat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, inklings

Lewis begins by drawing a distinction between "gift-love" and "need-love," defining the first as the type of love which motivates a man to work and plan for his family's future well-being although he will not live to see its fulfillment, and the second as that which sends a frightened child running to his mother. There follows a scholarly yet warmly conversational discussion of the four loves known to man: affection, friendship, eros, and charity. In conclusion, the author says, "We must try to ...more

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Jul 03, 2014 Colleen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 20th-century, owned-books, religion-faith, classic

The Four Loves is based on the four Greek words for love: agápe, éros, philía, and storgē. Lewis defines each of these types of love and how they affect our lives. It was a short, lovely read. It was at times a little highbrow, but remember that it was written in the 40's by a Cambridge professor. Still Lewis has a wonderful way with words, and some of the reflections and quotes were quiet resonant. Such as this one:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung ...more

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Feb 06, 2016 Rober Raafat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

كتاب فلسفي رائع، يغلب علي معظمه اسلوب فلسفي وفكر عالي. وفي بعض المرات القليلة يتكلم الكاتب من منظور ديني ايضا لا يخلو من الفلسفة.

يتمتع الكاتب باسلوب صعب وفكر عالي ويستخدم تشبيهات وان كانت دقيقة فهي لم تكن ايسر في الفهم من فهم الفكرة الاساسية نفسها.
اخذ الكاتب -في بعض الاجزاء الغير قليلة- ينقض ويفنط افكار كان يري - من منظوره- انها شائعة، وتستحق النقد والاطالة في بعض الاحيان. في حين ان الكثير منها لم اكن قد سمعت عنه من قبل ان يذكره الكاتب. فكانت تبدو لي تلك الصفحات انها غير مفيدة ولا تلمس واقعي الح ...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Rebecca Hicks rated it liked it · review of another edition

I used to think this book was really amazing. Now, although I can still enjoy it, after my own experiences of deep friendship and affection, I find myself disagreeing with some of the details of Lewis's ideas.

For example, Lewis seems to think that true friendship is almost impossible between a man and a woman. Try telling that to my male best friend! (although, to give him credit, maybe such a friendship was less likely in his time than in ours) Also, he seems doubtful as to whether women can ev ...more

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Feb 02, 2016 Elsa K rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I find this book beautiful and so deep. Having read it before, I was amazed at how difficult I found it to get through and really grasp. The last time I read it, I feel I was more naive in my approach, took it more on face value and didn't think as much about the parts I didn't fully comprehend. I think I could read this book ten times in a row and get more from it every time. For a small book it packs quite a punch. I love Lewis' ability to write simply, but with such depth in every line. One a ...more

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Dec 01, 2015 Samira rated it liked it · review of another edition

الترجمه سيئه!!! جدا! .. النسخه ال English ابسط بكتير للي حابب يفهم هو بيقول ايه ..
الكتاب نجمه علي الحب الاخوي و نجمتين الحب الالهي و لم اقرأ الحب الغرامي.
فصل الحب الاخوي ملئ بالسطحيه و اوقات الرجعيه و رؤيه ضيقه و تعميم خاطئ جدا دفعني مقراش الحب الغرامي و خصوصا انه اتكلم 3/4 عن الشهوه! و اللي معرفش هو معتبرها من الحب ليه اصلا! لكن في مجمل الفصل وانه اعطي الصداقه قدرها الحقيقي كان كويس!
الحب الالهي .. معنديش كلام يوصفه ..هوه الكلام اللي فيه كفايه .. ازاي تتحد المحبات دي مع المحبه نفسه. رائع!!!! جدا ...more

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May 23, 2011 Stephanie Ricker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, classics, nonfiction, religion-and-philosophy, c-s-lewis

Lewis is brilliant, as always, and I sort of wish I hadn't saved him for my last flight home when I was already so tired, because his thoughts require a fair bit of digestion. Lewis puts things in ways I hadn't thought to consider them, and even if I don't necessarily agree with him, he's certainly mind-stretching. And eventually I do find myself agreeing on most things. It's only some of his generalizations about women that irk, and I think maybe he just didn't meet enough interesting and intel ...more

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Feb 04, 2010 Judith Acosta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this book about once a year to remind myself of the basics: to Whom I am accountable, what true love entails and endows, and why I wake up every day.

My favorite quote: "...in the act of love we are not merely ourselves. We are also representatives. It is here no impoverishment but an enrichment to be aware that forces older and less personal than we work through us..."

Amen.

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May 27, 2008 ♥ Ibrahim ♥ rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, relationships

He divides love into four kinds and follows the ancient Greek pattern. Such definitions of love are confusing because these supposed four categories overlap. I might love a woman with pure love and love progresses and lo and behold it becomes erotic. The two indeed overlap. Eros itself might or might not involve sexual attraction and desire.

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Oct 30, 2009 Mike (the Paladin) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I have read this book multiple times and always find things I didn't get before. Thick with information and deep with insight into the words translated "love" in the New Testemant" and their import to us.

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Oct 28, 2011 James rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

"Love becomes a demon when it becomes a god."

Usual Lewis brilliance. Loved it.

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The Four Loves summarizes four kinds of human love--affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God	1	86	Oct 11, 2008 10:09AM

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About C.S. Lewis

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CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature ...more

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Books by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)

The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia, #1-7)

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia, #3)

The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #6)

Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia, #2)

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“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” — 80074 likes

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” — 17700 likes

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