you've unraveled the optimistic side of the quote, GI. i was just wondering, if loving oneself is being 'self-centered'... in which case, you won't have others to claim on the things you love because you love ONLY you and no one and nothing else? to make this simple: say A loves B C loves B. So, A and C could be rivals since both of them love same person/thing. on the other hand, A loves himself and no one else. B loves A-----> A gives a damn C loves B----->C gives a damn since A is self-centered, he is happy with himself. so C gets the love of B he deserved? and A and C will have no rivalries?....So A is all alone without friends or foes? hahahahaha...sounds like a triangular love story ghisapitawala :P LooTe