The 8 Distinct Forms of Love According to the Ancient Greeks (4 of 5)

6. Philautia — Self-Love

The love that you have for yourself is what the Greeks referred to as Philautia. When it is in a healthy form, this means having self-respect, self-compassion, and believing in yourself. Your mental well-being depends on self-love, and when you love yourself it makes it possible to love others as well. However, Philautia can also manifest itself as narcissism or vanity, in which you become self-absorbed and incapable of having feelings for anybody but yourself.

7. Agape — Unconditional Love

If you are selfless and expect nothing in return, you possess Agape, regarded as the highest, rarest and most spiritual form of love. Often associated with altruism and universal compassion, Agape puts the welfare of others above yourself—including strangers and enemies—even if it comes at a risk or great cost to you. This type of love doesn’t have to be expressed through grand ideas either; for instance, volunteering for a year at a leper colony in some Third World country. Rather, the little moments like opening the door for an elderly person or donating toys to underprivileged children demonstrate kindness and compassion as well.