Men love one another, commendably or reprehensibly, for the following five reasons: either for the sake of God, as the virtuous man loves everyone and as the man not yet virtuous loves the virtuous; or by nature, as parents love their children and children their parents; or because of self-esteem, as he who is praised loves the man who praises him; or because of avarice, as with one who loves a rich man for what he can get out of him; or because of self-indulgence, as with the man who serves his belly and his genitals. The first of these is commendable, the second is of an intermediate kind, the rest are dominated by passion. (Maximos the Confessor)

How the English might differ from Maximos' original Greek is beyond my present ability to know. I am troubled by some aspects of meaning. But I can agree if his intent is similar to the following.

Men and women are motivated to be in relationship with one another, commendably or reprehensibly, for the following reasons: by recognizing God in the other; or by deeply empathizing with the other; or seeking to derive something desired from the other.

It can be treacherous translating across time and culture. There will always be tensions. The tensions can be helpful in recognizing important distinctions. But we should listen with as much sympathy as possible.