Love And Understanding
Through my work at the Marion E. Wade Center I have become a huge fan of George MacDonald. His work had a big influence on C. S. Lewis. I am finding his work to influence me both professionally and spiritually. Right now I and reading and studying George MacDonald’s Lilith: A Romance.
MacDonald’s quote in the book, “to understand is not more wonderful than to love,” reflected a deep philosophical and spiritual insight. Essentially, MacDonald suggested that love has a higher, more profound value than mere understanding. At first I struggle with this, because I am such a believer in seeking to understand others, particularly from a leadership standpoint. Then, however, as I dug deeper into the context and really reflected I came to appreciate that while understanding involves intellect and knowledge—comprehending concepts, facts, or situations—love goes beyond the intellectual. It embodies compassion, connection, and a kind of wisdom that recognizes the intrinsic worth of others.
In the context of Lilith, this statement emphasized that true greatness or wonder lies not just in grasping ideas or truths, but in the capacity to love genuinely and unconditionally. Love can transform and elevate our experience of life, opening us up to deeper meaning and connection that understanding alone may not fully achieve. Therefore, MacDonald elevated love to a more divine or extraordinary realm, suggesting it holds a greater potential for fulfillment and wonder than simply understanding.
Byron's Babbles 
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