And we aren't able give it. We are born in love with our selves, hearts turned inward away from God, away from others. True love is directed outward, toward God and the neighbor. Self-love is directed inward, toward my self and my needs. Self-love is the opposite of the love St. Paul describes for us.
Love is willing to wait a long time, patiently, right up to the very end.
And love that cannot wait isn't true love but self-love. Love never forces its own way, never hurries things along, never manipulates things to get its way. Love has nothing to lose because it doesn't seek to gain. That's how love can wait patiently and kindly. True love always returns kindness, even when it is met with hatred and hostility.