Who really said it
The Art of Loving (1956)
Last verified 9 Nov 2026 · how we verify · spot an error?
For presentations
Unconfirmed quote & credit
“Love is an activity, not a passive affect; it is a "standing in," not a "falling for."” — Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving (1956), chapter 2; checked against a later transcription, not an original edition scan.
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Still under copyright. A short, credited quote is generally fine for talks, teaching, and internal decks; for commercial, published, or large-scale reuse, get permission.
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In context
Evoking the world of Erich Fromm — 1900–1980. Theme: "Love is an activity, not a passive affect; it is a "standing in," not a "falling for."". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Provenance
Love is an activity, not a passive affect; Short excerpt
How we verified this
Only a short excerpt is reproduced; identification and commentary do not grant permission to reuse the complete work.
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Context
Fromm distinguishes the excitement of falling in love from the sustained practice of loving. In the theory chapter he draws on Spinoza’s distinction between active and passive affects, then connects love with giving. “Activity” here means exercising human capacities, rather than merely being busy.
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Transcribes the wording and identifies the containing essay or book; a secondary quotation reference, not an original scan.
Contains the exact passage within the theory-of-love chapter; source limitations are stated.
Identifies The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm and describes its account of love as a developed capacity.
Biographical reference documents Fromm’s dates, psychoanalytic work and association with the Frankfurt School.
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The author
For writers & researchers
The Art of Loving. 1956.
Quotle.info. Who really said 'Love is an activity, not a passive affect; it is a "standing in," not a "falling for."'? Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/love-is-an-activity-not-a-passive-affect-it-is-a-standing/