20 Quotes on Self-Love in Relationships: Why You Must Love Yourself First
In relationships, self-love isn’t selfish—it’s foundational. When you prioritize your well-being, you show up as a healthier, more compassionate partner. Below are 20 quotes from therapists, activists, and icons that explain why loving yourself first strengthens every connection in your life.
20 Quotes on Self-Love in Relationships
- “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.”
—Rupi Kaur - “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.”
—Brené Brown - “Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
—Lucille Ball - “One of the best guides to how to be self-loving is to give ourselves the love we are often dreaming about receiving from others.”
—bell hooks - “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is the most powerful way to begin to take care of others.”
—Bryant McGill - “If you don’t love yourself, nobody will. Not only that, you won’t be good at loving anyone else. Loving starts with the self.”
—Wayne Dyer - “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
—Buddha - “The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.”
—Steve Maraboli - “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.”
—Charles Bukowski - “Loving yourself means accepting your flaws and embracing your strengths.”
—Unknown - “You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin. You can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.”
—Jessica Ortner - “When you love yourself unconditionally, you become a magnet for love and abundance.”
—Unknown - “Your worth is not determined by external achievements but by the love you have for yourself.”
—Unknown - “If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself.”
—Barbara De Angelis - “Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it.”
—Anna Taylor - “You are worthy of love and belonging.”
—Brené Brown - “The same light you see in others is shining within you, too.”
—Morgan Harper Nichols - “You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.”
—Deepak Chopra - “At the end of the day, I stand by who I am. I’m a good person.”
—Taraji P. Henson - “When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.”
—Paulo Coelho
Why These Quotes Matter
These quotes—from therapists like Brené Brown to icons like Lucille Ball—highlight a universal truth: You can’t love others deeply until you love yourself. They teach us to:
- Set boundaries (Brené Brown, Anna Taylor).
- Reject external validation (Wayne Dyer, Buddha).
- See self-love as the foundation (Charles Bukowski, Steve Maraboli).
Wrapping Up
In relationships, self-love isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Use these quotes as daily reminders to prioritize yourself. Which one resonates most? Share your favorite in the comments!
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