UPFRONT August 15, 2005 ISSUE

Love—the liberator

MARILYN JONES, SENIOR WRITER

When I first read an article called "Taking Offense," included in Mary Baker Eddy's collection Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, this quote from Hannah More startled me: "If I wished to punish my enemy, I should make him hate somebody" (p. 223). At the time, I'd thought that if I wanted to see my enemy punished, I'd hope something horrible would happen to him or her.

But upon reflection on that quote, I realized that hating really does enslave a person, because hating captures every thought and can become so overpowering and obsessive that it drives you crazy. Truly horrible, right? What a release to let go of hate and instead fill your thoughts with tenderness, understanding, and compassion.

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