Wen Tzu - Verse 114

from Verse One Hundred Fourteen

When loving fathers care for their children, it is not that they seek recompense from them, but that they cannot get them off of their minds. When wise leaders nurture their people, it is not to employ them for their own personal uses, but because they cannot do otherwise by nature.

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

When we truly love and care about others, we give them our all, regardless of whether or not we receive anything in return. In some cases, we're willing to put our life on the line so that others can live.

If we only give to others what we expect back in return, we will hedge our bet, in case there is no reciprocity. It is only when we remove ourselves from the whole equation that the expectation of return becomes meaningless and unimportant.

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.