Which is greater, Love or Altruism?

Love starts out as a bonding we have with things we need: things we feel a part of, or things that make us complete. Maybe a person or even a homeland, or things we need to associate with, So, in that regard at least, it starts out as filling our own need.

Gradually we love because things we love depend on us. We are happy to give, and get, and take care of the needs of people, animals, and things we care about.

As love matures, love compels us to love even when we get nothing in return. Maybe our spouses are no longer attractive to us, and other things we care about become a burden. But because of love, we are compelled to make tremendous sacrifices and be all-giving,

In the Bible, Jesus says to love our enemies. Here is where it becomes difficult—to love those whom it would be unnatural. Its tough to be commanded to love because love comes from within, Its a more realistic challenge to merely ACT like you love your enemies and do good things for them.

Then comes Altruism: the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

That is, doing things for the well being of others even when you don’t have that inner ‘love’—no inner need, bonding, or investment in one’s full self; just a desire to do the right thing,

So, is it better to LOVE, in which we do things for people or causes because we LOVE them, and its real— or to instead be Altruistic and do good things for other’s benefit even without a personal inner need being there?