So if an ordinary man like you doesn't care for mere unselfishness from the people you are really fond of, do you think that what isn't good enough for you is good enough for God ?" "No.

But I still might want the people I was fond of to be unselfish, not for my own sake but for theirs.

The more one loves a person, the more one wishes that person to be worthy of love; and though we don't love people because they are perfect, we want them to be perfect because we love them, don't you see ?" "You aren't a very good instance, Chris, because, you see, you are rather a reserved, cold-hearted person, and not at all affectionate; but still you are fond of people in your own way." "Yes; I am fond of one or two people--but in my own way, as you say," Christopher replied quietly.
"And even you understand that forced and artificial devotion isn't worth having." "Yes; even I understand as much as that." "So you will see that unselfishness and renunciation and things of that sort are only second-best things after all, and that there is nothing of the kind between people who really love each other, because their two wills are merged in one, and each finds his own happiness in the happiness of the other.

And I don't believe that God wants us to give up our wills to His in a 'Thy way not mine' kind of way; I believe He wants the same mind to be in us that was in Christ Jesus, so that He and we shall be wishing for the same things." "Wise Elisabeth, I believe that you are right." "And you'll see how right I am, when you really care very much for somebody yourself.

I don't mean in the jolly, comfortable way in which you care for Mr.Smallwood and Cousin Maria and me.