Erich Fromm. The art of love (№ 418363)

The need for transcendence is one of the basic needs of man, rooted in his self-consciousness. He is not satisfied with his role in the created world, he cannot perceive himself as a dice, randomly thrown from the cup. He needs to feel like a creator, to go beyond the passive role of the created being. There are many ways to achieve satisfaction with creation; the most natural and easiest way to achieve is maternal care and love for her creation. She goes beyond herself in the child, her love for him gives meaning and meaning to her own life. (In the very inability of a man to satisfy his need for transcendence through the birth of children lies his passionate need to go beyond himself in the creations of his hands and ideas.)