To love or be loved?

This question often pops up: in dramas, in personality tests, in my mind. Would it be better to be with someone you love? Or one who loves you?

The optimal, of course, would be that both parties rate similarly on each other's love-o-meter. But you can't always have the best of both worlds. What if you had to choose one?

To just have him love you wouldn't be too bad. He'd dote on you and make you the centre of attention. Chances are, you'll get your way most of the time.

On the other hand, if you were with the one you loved, you can be satisfied that you're with whom you deem to be the best. Perhaps just being with him is worth the lack of affection.

Faced with the two, I'd probably choose the one who loved me. However, I'd spend so much time thinking about the one I loved, that I probably wouldn't be able to enjoy the attention and devotion anyway.

All in all, it wouldn't be unreasonable to conclude that if the feelings are going down a one-way street, then there shouldn't be a relationship in the first place.

Perhaps, in this context, there's no room for a grab-what-you've-got-till-you-can-find-something-better attitude.