To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.

Viscott’s aphorism frames love as a two-directional warmth: giving affection and receiving it are distinct experiences, and the fullest human flourishing comes when both are present. “The sun” suggests not only pleasure but vitality—light, growth, and a sense of safety. “From both sides” implies a rare completeness: to love without being loved can feel exposing or draining, while to be loved without loving can feel passive or undeserved. The line also hints at reciprocity as a stabilizing force, where mutual recognition confirms one’s value and deepens emotional resilience. Its simplicity makes it portable as counsel about relationships, attachment, and the human need for mutual care.