"As for what concerns our relations with our fellow men, the anguish in our neighbor's soul must break all precept. All that we do is a means to an end, but love is an end in itself, because God is love"

Edith Stein's quote dives deep into the essence of human relationships and the ultimate purpose of our actions and existence. At its core, the quote recommends that our interactions with others should go beyond mere duty or responsibility; instead, they need to be driven by real compassion and love.

The expression "the suffering in our next-door neighbor's soul must break all precept" emphasizes the seriousness and top priority of reacting to the suffering of others. Precepts are guidelines or concepts that direct habits, typically creating a structured approach to ethical or ethical living. Nevertheless, Stein argues that when confronted with another individual's profound suffering or "suffering", these guidelines need to not be the main guiding force. Instead, empathy and instant action must take precedence. This highlights the requirement for versatility in moral thinking, where human emotion and compassion can bypass rigid adherence to guidelines.

The second part of the quote, "All that we do is a means to an end, but love is an end in itself, due to the fact that God is love", raises love to the greatest concern among human endeavors. Many actions, as Stein suggests, contribute-- they are designed to achieve a particular function or result. On the other hand, love is depicted as naturally important, not requiring further reason or a goal beyond itself. This perspective lines up with the philosophical and doctrinal concept that love is the ultimate excellent, the greatest calling or purpose humans can desire.

Linking love directly to God, Stein likewise use a rich doctrinal tradition that sees magnificent nature as fundamentally rooted in love. By this reasoning, when humans engage in acts of genuine love, they are taking part in the divine and fulfilling their greatest capacity. Hence, the quote motivates people to focus on love and empathy above all other principles, suggesting that these are the real reflections of the divine and the ultimate measure of significant action in human life.