The world is full of bargain hunters. Among these are ever so many who hope to get something for nothing. But more often than not they get disappointed. This applies not only to material things but also to intangibles, such as love and affection.
The underlying sentiment of a majority of the modern-day love songs is that love is both pleasurable and free. Of course, what is referred to is romantic love or sexual gratification. Little, if anything, is said about love costing something or about one’s being deserving of love.
And so the youth rush into marriage. Or they begin to live together without the benefit of marriage—“free love,” some call it. But sooner or later a large proportion of them separate or get a divorce. Why? Because they were not realistic, not mature enough to be willing to pay what love costs.
The love that is lasting, be it romantic love, love of one’s family or friends, or love based on a sense of duty, invariably costs something—but it is worth it.