The quote by Ziadeh suggests that motherly love, often regarded as the epitome of selflessness, can also be viewed as a form of profound selfishness. This is because a mother's love is deeply rooted in her emotional investment in her child. She derives immense joy, fulfillment, and identity from nurturing and protecting her offspring. In this way, a mother is "selfish" because her child's well-being and happiness are crucial to her own sense of satisfaction and purpose. Thus, motherly love is portrayed as the most perfect form of selfishness because it is both inherently self-serving and selfless, highlighting the complex and dual nature of parental affection.
Quote By: L. Susan Stebbing