Dear Dr. Robert,

I would be most grateful if you could help me to understand what love is, what infatuation is and if there is any relationship between them. In other words, what is the difference between love and infatuation?

Thanks.

Hello--

My pleasure.

The difference in these two emotional states is made very clear if one looks at the etymology of these two words. Etymology is the study of the origins of a word in some earlier language.

The word infatuation finds its roots in a latin word, infatuare, which literally means to become foolish. So one who is infatuated is simply foolish.

The word love comes to us via a word in Old English, lēof, which means "dear." So to love someone means to hold that person dear, to consider that person precious.

Anyone can be foolish, but only someone with a wise and open heart can hold another person dear.

I hope this helps.

Be well.

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