I am not well placed to judge the rights and wrongs of a non-reciprocal relationship. Only a perfect insight can warrant full reciprocity in oneself and others. Both Narcissus and Echo had problems with their loves, even if the male was better positioned to attract and reciprocate his attraction. But to love oneself is not only the beginning of a lifelong romance, but the second prerequisite of being loved, right after loving one's parents. The best way for a man to take measure of a prospective lover is by asking about her relationship with her father. Both unforgivable offenses and unforgiven slights are signposts to disaster. The mercy manifest in our capacity to forgive an offense is as necessary to character as the dignity borne out by our ability to punish it.