In the introduction to The Four Loves, C. Lewis introduces the idea of love into two distinct sections of "need-love" and "gift-love". Human love can be defined as love just as long as it resembles the Love which is God. Lewis states, "I still think that if all we mean by our love is a craving to be loved, we are in a very deplorable state." (p. 2). To love is to do so unconditionally without the intention of receiving the same emotion back in return. .
Gift-love is a supernatural emotion that is given freely. Lewis gave an example of "gift-love" as being, ".that love which moves a man to work and plan and save for the future well-being of his family which he will die without sharing or seeing." (p. 1). The parent is attempting to give the child all that he has to offer through his unending determination to make the child happy without the cause to expect something back in return. "Our Gift-loves are really God-like; and amongst our Gift-loves those are most God-like which are most boundless and unwearied in giving," as expressed by Lewis. (p. 8) The gift of love is a single sided action that is given just as God gives his love to his people without the intent of a returning action. .
Need-love is based on the fact that in reality people do need one another and it is not in man's best interest to be alone. Lewis explains, "We need others physically, emotionally, intellectually; we need them if we are to know anything, even ourselves." (p. 2) Need-love however should not be confused with selfishness because a frightened child who runs to the arms of his mother for comfort is not committing a selfish act. Need-love can further be described as man's love for God which is entirely based on the individuals love to be in the presence of the feeling of one's God. Lewis further states, "Thus one Need-love, the greatest of all, either coincides with or at least makes a main ingredient in man's highest, healthiest, and most realistic spiritual condition.