The downfall of capitalism lies in the fact that it puts a price on love. It overlooks the truth that everything precious in this world is free, and that only what is free signifies true love. Consequently, dating becomes a “dating market,” and marriage becomes a “marriage market.” But love cannot be bought in a market.
No one falls in love for money. Love inherently means having the heart to give everything freely, and that love is realized when the other person has the same heart. That’s why theft doesn’t exist between spouses. Because what is yours is mine, and what is mine is yours.
Growing up, we learn the priceless friendship of friends, the unconditional love of parents, and the heart to care for neighbors without expecting anything in return. The things that make our lives worthwhile are truly only these things given freely.
The reason gifts are precious is also because we received them without paying. It’s not simply because we gained something useful for “free” and are happy because we made a “profit.” Only what is given freely is imbued with “meaning.”
Everything trivial in this world must be bought with money, but everything precious is free. It is given to us without cost. When we were conceived in our mother’s womb, neither our parents nor ourselves paid anyone for our lives. When we are born, the air we breathe is given to us freely, as is the warm sunlight that warms the air, the water we drink, the soil we walk on, the fire that cooks our food and warms our bathwater, and the moonlight and starlight that allow us to dream—all are given to humankind freely. (Capitalism has now reached the point of putting a price on even water and air and selling them, and it may eventually even put a price on sunlight and moonlight and tell us to buy them. After that, they might sell coupons for giving birth to children.)
Precious things are given freely. And they become the source of love. Love that is not free becomes a “transaction.” We must realize this fact before it’s too late if we want to love. A love that is free, therefore grateful, precious, and meaningful, a love that is overwhelming like the dazzling morning sunlight.
Leave a Reply