I hear many of you object that you are not complete philistines, and that you do in fact contemplate love at length. Well, if your music and reading tastes are anything to go by, you do indeed never stop thinking about love. The problem is, you think about love after the fact. First you accept love, then you think about it. You never stop to consider what love is, whether it is right or wrong, real or illusory. Did doubt and reflection die with God?
Then let us take a closer look at this love of ours: who knows what evil dwarves we may find lurking in the nooks and crannies of our hearts! Perhaps love is not the great and unfailing pillar of virtue we are led to believe.
Certainly, of the millions in this world deserving of our love, in marriage we choose to give our whole love to a single one. Is this fair? Should we not love all people equally and unreservedly? The grisly fact is, we love only for what we get in return. That is, we love what we get in return - we love happiness and happiness alone. Do you doubt me? Then ask yourself, do you ever love that which brings you unending pain and hardship?
Love is an attempt to redress the conflicts and unmet desires of childhood. Consequently, our loved one tends to be a composite of our family members. It is all to do with ego gratification. We do not love someone because of their goodness, but because they make us feel good. Thus, love comes before morality . . . and (conveniently) prevents it.