All mankind love a lover.

Emerson’s aphorism suggests that the state of being in love—or of loving—elicits a near-universal sympathy. A “lover” here is not merely a romantic figure but a person animated by devotion, openness, and imaginative intensity. Emerson often treats love as a moral and spiritual force that enlarges the self beyond calculation; in that sense, the lover becomes attractive because love signals vitality, generosity, and a kind of courage. The line also hints at social psychology: people are drawn to those who are already emotionally engaged, because love confers confidence and meaning. As a compact maxim, it elevates love from private feeling to a public, almost contagious energy.