American writer Richard Bach: If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were. - Bach wrote "Jonathan Livingston Seagull. "
The expression "If you love someone, set them free" was made popular by a 1980's Sting song, but is originally attributed to Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
"If you love someone, you'll set them free" is a saying that has been around for a long time, however has no distinct origin in popular culture. Rather, it appears the saying is from word of mouth, similar to turns of phrases.
