9 Quotes From Eastern Philosophers on Love

When we think about philosophy, the first thing to come to mind may be any number of famous mind-bendingly abstract or cerebral observations. Thankfully, philosophers enjoy pondering all facets of the human experience, and many of their quotes speak to the lives we lead every day. What makes a good friend, how to find our purpose, the many definitions of love — these all fall under the umbrella of philosophy, too.
Across the Asian continent, Hindu poets, Japanese writers, and Buddhist monks alike have contemplated the ways love fits into our lives. Whether we feel hopeless in love or want to find new ways of expressing our love, we can take comfort in the fact that some of the greatest minds in history have been right there with us for millennia. They make it clear that every form of love — whether romance, self-love, or compassion for others — is important.
Here are nine quotes from renowned Eastern thinkers to remind you that we get to decide how love shows up in our lives.